HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
January 21, 2011
Attendees:
Ellen Bernard – EHS
Christine Kropelnyckyj – Emer. Mgmt.
Steve Moore – Physical Plant
Toni Taylor – UAW 1975
Susan Campbell, UAW 1976 & ORD
Kevin Lawson – Student Center
Steve Pernecky - AAUP
Kathryn Wilhoff - EHS
Absent:
Kevin Abbasse, Sonya Alvarado, Michelle Campbell, Arlene Cook, Diana Good,
Caroline Gould, Joanne Hansen, Norman Harrington, Erica Healander, Chad Humble,
Mark Monarch, Greg O’Dell, Jason Smith, Ray Sowers, Mike Turner, Eric Ward, Mark
Wesley.
1. Kathryn Wilhoff distributed the activity summary for December/January.
Discussion was held.
2. Kathryn Wilhoff reported that there were concerns in McKenny regarding the
possibility of bacterial infections in the building due to the death of one person
and the hospitalization of another. To address these concerns, Dr. Keller at
University Health Services and the Washtenaw County Health Department
were contacted. Due to HIPAA regulations, specific disease information
could not be released but the Health Department reported that it was
extremely unlikely these two cases were related. A meeting was held with the
concerned department to inform them of the findings and to address their
concerns.
3. Susan Campbell asked about the status of the hot water at the Northwest
Center. Kathryn Wilhoff reported that there was no change in status.
4. Steve Pernecky inquired about the issue regarding the perchloric acid hoods.
Due to the possibility of crystals that can form and possibly explode in the
hoods from perchloric acid usage Kathryn Wilhoff stated that information
previously obtained is not what is being received now. Also since everyone
stated that they were no longer using perchloric acid a special hood for its use
was not installed, when it is still being used. The issue is still being
examined.
5. Kathryn Wilhoff informed the committee that the waste budget will be
significantly over this year due to the cleaning out of 40 years of chemicals at
Mark Jefferson. The vast majority of the cost was due to the number of
unknowns that required testing; the waste hauler is working with us to reduce
these costs. These were primarily researchers’ samples. Some of this will be
repeated during the next phase of the renovation project.
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6. Kathryn Wilhoff stated that during the last Mark Jefferson Advisory Committee
meeting the fire alarm issue was discussed. The testing of the systems will
be performed during off hours whenever possible.
7. Susan Campbell reported that the furniture in the basement of Starkweather
had been moved and the emergency light fixed. Susan stated that the
handicap ramp still had ice on it and could not be salted due to the new
concrete. Chris Grant has been contacted.
8. Toni Taylor questioned the use of sand in those areas that could not be salted
since two people had fallen on the ice. Steve Moore stated that he did not
think that it would really help and that it will clog the storm sewers, but he
would check with Chris Grant.
9. Susan Campbell stated that the heat in Starkweather has been very variable.
Steve Moore reported that this same problem is in several other buildings.
Steve stated that they need to contact HVAC to have the system checked.
10. Steve Pernecky stated that there are some issues in the new part of Mark
Jefferson regarding temperature and levelness of floors. For the most part,
the faculty is happy. The labs are good, the electrical system is fantastic and
the windows are great.
11. Steve Moore reported that there will be an open house at Mark Jefferson on
January 26th. He also stated that Pray-Harrold is schedule to open for the fall
semester. There was a MIOSHA inspection of Pray-Harrold this past week,
which resulted in only three very minor non-conformances. Ellen Bernard
stated that the MIOSHA inspector was very pleased with the inspection
results due to the size of the project.
12. Steve Moore commented that Sherzer Hall will be closed this summer for
work on the air handling system. Dave Jaworski is the project manager.
Steve also stated that the curtain windows in the 1st Year Center will be
changed this summer.
13. Chris Kropelnyckyj reported that Emergency Management is in the very early
discussions regarding a mass casualty exercise for mid-May. If the President
approves this EM will be very busy. The main issue is the size of the exercise
but one is required by the grant. Chris also reported that EM did get an
extension of their grant through 12/11. She also informed the committee that
EM will be participating in the Wellness event being held on 1/31/11 in the
Ballrooms at the Student Center (SC), including digital fire extinguisher
training. The next CERT training is scheduled for 2/4/11 and so far 5 people
have signed up for it. Chris stated that 30 building emergency plans have
been completed and the others are in progress.
H&S Committee Minutes – 1/11
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14. Kevin Lawson stated that he is working with Jason and Mark in EM regarding
missing persons as part of the building emergency plan. Kevin also reported
that he has the signs regarding the steps on the north side of the SC but
needs to determine where to place them. Steve Moore said to meet with
Plant regarding the installation.
15. Kevin Lawson reported that hydration stations are being installed on a couple
of floors at the SC. These are units that fit on top of the drinking fountain and
used to refill water bottles. These stations have an LED readout informing
you how many water bottles were saved. This is tied to the recycling and
sustainability programs on campus. Kevin is also looking into tightening
recycling efforts in other areas of the SC.
16. Toni Taylor reported that some employees are bringing their batteries from
home and putting them into the department recycling buckets and filling them.
Steve Moore stated that if they needed a new bucket to contact Physical
Plant. He also said that people need to tape the ends of the batteries to
prevent interactions between them.
17. Kathryn Wilhoff reported that the AED Advisory Committee has completed
their product review and recommendations have been provided to Ellen Gold
for John Lumm.
The next meeting is Friday February 18, 2011 at 9 a.m.
in room 104 Student Center
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