UMSC August Minutes

UNION-MANAGEMENT SAFETY COMMITTEE

August 2024 Meeting Minutes

The monthly meeting of the Union-Management Safety Committee was conducted on August 13^th, 2024 by the Environmental Health and Safety department with the following individuals in attendance:

Josh Balfour                A                     Dining Services

Cory Ghiringhelli       A                     Environmental Health and Safety

Devin Johnson            A                     Maintenance Services

Darrell Junkins           A                     Landscape Services    

Laura Weber               VA                  Legal Affairs, Risk, and Compliance

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 steps are rapidly deteriorating and require repair-replacement.  The interior stairwell just off of the dock were also in need of stair tread repair-replacement.  Devin stated that the interior stair tread has been repaired/replaced and that Residence Life approved a project for this summer which involves repair to the loading dock.

Kathy Cain-Babbitt previously introduced safety concerns via email submission involving potential trip hazards in the Paper Pilot Plant and campus building mechanical rooms.  An AFSCME employee recently incurred an injury after tripping over an unmarked edge/barrier.  Kathy requested that STH personnel be assigned to survey for these trip & fall issues in low traffic and low-lit spaces; paint and/or high visibility tape could be installed to help personnel identify the areas of concern.  Devin Johnson will investigate, open dialogue at upcoming shop input meetings, submit necessary FM work order(s), and provide a follow up. 

Jake Woods provided an update from Mark Weiss regarding the situation involving birds and bird feces in the Seeyle Center. It was previously mentioned that the large exterior overhead doors are being left open resulting in birds entering the facility.  Accumulated feces have been observed on the catwalk and other elevated building components; these materials present a possible pathogenic hazard for building occupants and student athletes.  Jake shared that Mark along with University Athletics had recently met with a pest control / falconry contractor to discuss a plan of action. It was mentioned that birds typically take up indoor residency during the cold season and that the situation should be reassessed once the cooler weather sets in.  Prevention of birds from coming into the building is a preferred route to physical removal.  University Athletics will promote keeping exterior doors closed when not in active use and investigate equipment which could prevent birds from entering such as door netting.

Devin Johnson previously provided an update to the safety concern involving a need to apply new paint to a concrete curb located in between parking lots #81 and #60, just West of the Valley Dining Center.  The curb was painted yellow during construction of the facility but has since faded.  Dining Services personnel have observed passenger vehicles being damaged while attempting to exit parking lot #81 by driving over the curb.  Devin stated that Maintenance Services is planning on re-painting the curbing this summer when they have availability after changeover efforts at Arcadia Flats and Stadium Drive Apartments. 

Jake Woods provided an update from Mark Weiss regarding the safety concern involving the lack of emergency evacuation and building information signage at the Student Center.  It was mentioned during the July meeting that said signage was currently present in some of the employee-only corridors and entryways.  Jake shared Mark’s message that he is in the process of working with Facilities Management in procurement and installation of signage in areas they were not installed during building construction. 

David Prellwitz previously introduced a safety concern involving damage to parking lot stormwater drain near the Miller Auditorium parking ramp.  The sunken components present a fall and trip hazard for pedestrians.  Devin Johnson mentioned that the damaged materials are known to Facilities Management and that a project to reset the drains is scheduled. 

Josh Balfour previously introduced a safety issue regarding 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 the meeting that the nearby water feature incurred a water leak that subsequently caused soil erosion under some of the walkway slabs.  Devin Johnson mentioned that Facilities Management had already taken measures to reduce water loss from the feature and that a project to repair the walkway/feature was initiated. 

Mark Heeres previously introduced a safety concern regarding the occasional occurrence when exterior doors at the Student Center are found to be extremely hard to open.  The committee discussed the situation and it was mentioned that a misbalance of the HVAC system air pressure is a main contributing factor.  Devin Johnson stated that Facilities Management are aware of the equipment issues and taking measures to resolve them. 

Jake Woods provided an update to the concerns regarding hot working conditions within certain Dining Services cooking areas in the Student Center. Jake stated that he was previously aware of the situation and had been engaged on the topic with Dining Services and Facilities Management.   Ambient air temperatures obtained indicated the cooking spaces were warmer than similar locations at the Valley Dining Center but within acceptable levels per the Dining Services specific Heat Stress Plan (https://wmich.edu/ehs/policies/dining-heat-stress).  Committee discussions in August also revealed that the overall condition of the situation has observably improved since changes/modifications to the HVAC system were implemented by Facilities Management.   

PROJECT LIST/TABLE 

No updates.

NEW BUSINESS

No new business. 

SAFETY HAPPENINGS

Darrell Junkins mentioned that Landscape Services personnel will be completing their annual audiometric exams in the near future and also discussed coordinating roof-access training for the Dunbar Hall green roofs.  

Laura Weber stated the campus’ property insurance engineer, David Tiller of Zurich, will be on campus October 29 and 30 conducting annual assessments of campus buildings

Jake Woods shared that the National Safety Council recognizes August as Back to School Safety month.  As summer draws to a close and children start heading back to school, family life can get pretty hectic. It's important to remember – and share with your children – some key tips that will help keep them safe and healthy throughout the school year.  Many school-related injuries are completely preventable.  Further information can be found at: https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/school-safety/school-safety-home.

Jake Woods also shared that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recognizes Safe + Sound Week during August 12-18.  Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America's workers safe.  Further information can be found at: https://www.osha.gov/safeandsoundweek/.

The next UMSC meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 10^th, 2024 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: 8/16/2024