UMSC April Minutes
UNION-MANAGEMENT SAFETY COMMITTEE
April 2026 Meeting Minutes
The monthly meeting of the Union-Management Safety Committee was conducted on April 14th, 2026 by the Environmental Health and Safety department with the following individuals in attendance:
Kyle Bushee A Legal Affairs, Risk, and Compliance
Cory Ghiringhelli VA Environmental Health and Safety
Devin Johnson A Maintenance Services
Darrell Junkins A Landscape Services
Greg Macleery VA Dining Services
David Prellwitz A AFSCME
Keith Pung A Environmental Health and Safety
Mark Weiss A Environmental Health and Safety
Jacob Woods A Environmental Health and Safety
In-Person Attendance: (A)
Virtual Attendance: (VA)
OLD BUSINESS
Cory Ghiringhelli previously provided an update to the safety concern involving the lack of tornado shelter and evacuation maps for the Landscape Services and ROTC areas in the Campus Services Building. The maps are typically located on walls, approximately 5’ high, near building entries. Jake Woods previously investigated and gathered necessary information regarding current locations of fire extinguishers and alarm pull stations. Devin Johnson subsequently used the data, along with hand-noted floor prints to create temporary evacuation maps; Jake helped to get them displayed at the necessary CSB locations. The Projects, Design, and Construction division pursued funding resources via the deferred maintenance program for campus-wide updated emergency plans. Cory mentioned that he met with Shannon S. Becker to initiate the efforts and the related project manager is now Wristen Paschich. Jake Woods will reach out and attempt to gather an update.
Devin Johnson provided an update to the safety concern involving safe personnel access to the Student Center roof-mounted cooling towers. The units were originally installed without a ladder-platform which would afford a safe working environment for persons completing maintenance and non-routine tasks. Jake Woods had previously contacted the Facilities Management project manager, Matt Danneffel, who confirmed that the access platform would be funded by the Student Center project. Devin stated that the ladder and platform materials have been procured, delivered onsite, and will be constructed in the near future.
Previous committee discussion provided an update to the safety issue involving snow and ice buildup in the Hilltop Parking Structure that contributed to a student injury. The structure’s open design and airflows allow snow to enter and accumulate on interior walking surfaces. Affected areas are cleared of snow and treated by Landscape Services but re-accumulation occurs quickly. The first plan of action would be to bring to the attention of FM Engineering before any changes or modifications are made to the structure. Mark Frever will create a warranty work order to initiate and track the efforts. Jake Woods will reach out and attempt to gather an update.
Jake Woods provided an update to the issue involving damaged exterior concrete steps-landings at Moore Hall entry #7. The issue had been submitted to the FM Service Center and Landscape Services immediately placed a safety cone in the areas of concern. Mark Frever previously confirmed that a contractor was engaged and that the repair efforts to the front main entrance were completed. Jake confirmed that repairs to damaged materials located at the entry near the loading dock were also completed.
COMPLETED/CLOSED
PROJECT LIST/TABLE
No new projects introduced.
NEW BUSINESS
David Prellwitz introduced a safety concern regarding installation of a pedestrian crossing located between the intersection of W. Michigan Avenue – Howard Street and the roundabout; directly North of the Parking Services building. David mentioned that Landscape Services personnel expressed safety concerns for themselves servicing the crosswalk and future pedestrians due to observed vehicular traffic behaviors in this specific area. Committee discussions also revealed that Parking Services have echoed the same concerns and that John Seelman is the WMU Project Manager for the summer campus roadway improvements. Devin Johnson will investigate and provide a follow up.
Devin Johnson provided information regarding ongoing resolution of a safety concern that was introduced to EHS by Maintenance Services personnel. Tradespersons contacted Jake Woods of EHS with an inquiry about air handling unit filter-bank access platforms located in Miller Auditorium mechanical spaces. Jake subsequently met Devin for an onsite meeting where it was determined safety improvements to the ladder-platforms was warranted. Devin stated that he had recently engaged a fabrication contractor to complete the improvement efforts.
SAFETY HAPPENINGS
Darrell Junkins shared that he recently provided assistance to efforts involving annual inspections of fire extinguishers located in satellite Landscape Services sheds and equipment locations.
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. 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 12th, 2026 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: 4/24/2026