UMSC April Minutes

UNION-MANAGEMENT SAFETY COMMITTEE

April 2025 Meeting Minutes

The monthly meeting of the Union-Management Safety Committee was conducted on April 8^th, 2025 by the Environmental Health and Safety department with the following individuals in attendance:

Kathy Cain-Babbitt     A                     AFSCME

Cory Ghiringhelli        VA                  Environmental Health and Safety

Darrell Junkins            A                     Landscape Services

David Prellwitz           A                     Landscape Services

Keith Pung                  A                     Environmental Health and Safety

Judy Slumkoski           A                     Custodial Services

Laura Weber               VA                  Legal Affairs, Risk, and Compliance

Mark Weiss                 A                     Environmental Health and Safety

Jacob Woods               A                     Environmental Health and Safety

In-Person Attendance:        (A)

Virtual Attendance:            (VA)

OLD BUSINESS

Devin Johnson previously provided an update to the safety concern regarding condition of stairwell/steps located at the central loading dock of Goldsworth Valley #1.  Maintenance Services personnel from the Region Shops located in the basement utilize this dock and building entry point. The concrete exterior steps are deteriorating and require repair-replacement.  Devin mentioned that necessary repairs to the stair tread of the interior stairwell steps were completed by Maintenance Services and that they will further investigate the exterior steps when warmer weather allows. Jake Woods will reach out for an update regarding the situation. 

Committee discussions provided an update to the safety issue involving the granite walkway slabs located outside of the Student Center becoming uneven. The developing trip and fall hazard observed by employees, seemed to be increasing in severity.  It was mentioned during previous meetings that the nearby water feature incurred a water leak that subsequently caused soil erosion under some of the walkway slabs.  Mark Frever previously mentioned that a contractor has been engaged by Facilities Managed to reset the affected slabs.  Repair efforts, previously scheduled for the Thanksgiving Break, were postponed due to inclement conditions.  Completion had been expected pending a break in the weather.  April meeting discussions indicated that an upcoming project (P230196, Chris Nord-PM), involving removal of West Michigan Avenue and sidewalk improvement at Sangren and Henry Halls will likely impact the walkway slabs.  It was believed that the granite slabs will be removed and replaced with a poured concrete walking surface. 

PROJECT LIST/TABLE 

No updates

*Bernhard Center site restoration and upcoming walkway improvement project (P230196) may impact multiple items on the project and damaged concrete/brick areas on campus list. 

NEW BUSINESS

David Prellwitz introduced a safety concern involving Arcadia Loop and Parking Lot #28.  David mentioned that there's considerable concern about having a designated roadway traverse a parking lot with no discernable or physical separation, particularly with the increased traffic due to the temporary closure of Ring Rd. The designated roadway lane and traffic markings on the asphalt are faded or worn away. Additionally, the location of the stop sign in Lot 28 makes it difficult to see traffic coming from the Seibert Administration Building direction; especially if any cars are parked in the middle of the lot. Jake Woods will investigate and provide a follow up.

Judy Slumkoski introduced a safety concern involving a trip and fall hazard at the loading dock of the Student Recreation Center.  Judy mentioned that this location is a clock in/out spot for Custodians and has a lot of pedestrian foot traffic on a daily basis.  A custodian recently tripped and fell in one of the gaps while accessing the building; some of the gaps are nearing 6" or more in depth. FM work order #LN-100775 was previously submitted regarding the historical issue. Jake Woods will investigate and provide a follow up. 

The committee had an open discussion involving the do not enter signage located in between lots #60 and #81 near the Valley Dining Center loading dock.  The notification sign was used in lieu of repainting walkway curbing that is in between the two lots.  The sign was moved at the beginning of the winter season to allow for efficient and complete snow removal but have not yet been repositioned. Darrell Junkins will investigate and provide a follow up.

SAFETY HAPPENINGS

David Prellwitz encouraged all committee members and their constituents to be mindful and practice safe driving while on campus roads.  Landscape Services employees are beginning to operate slow moving machinery and mowers so it’s very important to pay attention. They also preparing campus for commencement and may have their vehicles temporarily parked on and off roadways.  David also reminded the committee to leave all wild animals alone, particularly young and newborns that are observed on campus, and to contact Landscape Services if they have any concerns or questions. 

Laura Weber expressed appreciation to all who attended the risk and prevention presentations on 3/25/2025.  Laura hoped the presentations were found to be educational and of value to you and your department. As promised, the risk and prevention presentations listed below have been posted to the Risk Management website (https://wmich.edu/legal/business-services/presentations) for your review. Risk in the Artificial Intelligence Era, Navigating the Playing Field: Athletic Risk, and Mental Health: Risk on Campus. 

Jake Woods shared that the National Safety Council recognizes April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The goal of the annual observance is to bring awareness that thousands of people are killed and hundreds of thousands more are seriously injured in distracted driving crashes each year. Many distractions exist while driving, but cell phones are a top distraction because so many drivers use them for long periods of time each day. Almost everyone has seen a driver distracted by a cell phone, but when you are the one distracted, you often don't realize that driver is you. New technology in vehicles is causing us to become more distracted behind the wheel than ever before. Fifty-three percent of drivers believe if manufacturers put "infotainment" dashboards and hands-free technology in vehicles, they must be safe. With some state laws focusing on handheld bans, many drivers honestly believe they are making the safe choice by using a hands-free device. But in fact, these technologies distract our brains — and continue to distract us long after we've used them. Further information can be found at: https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/distracted-driving/distracted-driving-home.

The next UMSC meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 13^th, 2025 in the shared conference room located on the ground floor of the E.W. Building at 10:00 a.m.; an invitation to attend via video conferencing platform (WebEx) will also be sent out with these minutes.  Please send a substitute representative if you are unable to attend.

Published: 4/22/2025