UMSC January Minutes
UNION-MANAGEMENT SAFETY COMMITTEE
January 2025 Meeting Minutes
The monthly meeting of the Union-Management Safety Committee was conducted on January 14th, 2025 by the Environmental Health and Safety department with the following individuals in attendance:
Cindy Beebe A Custodial Services
Cory Ghiringhelli VA Environmental Health and Safety
Devin Johnson A Maintenance Services
Greg Macleery VA Dining Services
David Prellwitz A Landscape Services
Keith Pung A Environmental Health and Safety
Vince Renda A Maintenance Services
Juanita Snell 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 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.
Mark Frever previously 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 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 is expected pending a break in the weather.
Devin Johnson 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, painted during construction of the facility but since faded, had been observed by Dining Services personnel to damage vehicles that attempted to drive over it. Permanent parking bollards were installed near curbing of parking lot #81 in late summer but caused some issue with recent snow removal efforts. Devin stated that the permanent bollards were removed and a temporary sign is now being used. This allowed unimpeded access for snow removal efforts of the curb-walkway.
COMPLETED/CLOSED
Mark Weiss provided an update regarding the safety concern involving the lack of emergency evacuation and building information signage at the Student Center. It was mentioned during a previous meeting that said signage was only present in some of the employee-only corridors and entryways. Mark received the necessary signs, EHS had to make modifications, and successfully worked with Paul Terzino of the Student Center in getting them displayed in the affected locations.
COMPLETED/CLOSED
PROJECT LIST/TABLE
No Updates, Bernhard Center site restoration project nearing completion.
| Damaged Concrete/Brick Areas on Campus | ||
| Location on Campus | Work Completed | Status |
| Damaged bricks located behind a bench-seating fixture near SW#1 of the Miller Auditorium Parking Structure (#2) | FM work order, #LS-103090 / LW-100020, was submitted on 8/13/19 | Open |
| Damaged curbing located at the East end of Parking Lot #68 (Bernhard Center and Henry Hall) | FM work order, LN-100370, was submitted on 10/13/21 | Open |
| Damaged bricks at Dalton Center, exterior near entry #3 | FM work order, LW-100448, was submitted on 6/15/22. | Open |
| Waldo Stadium, walkways near sections D/E | FM work order, LA-100111, now FM Project #P-220189. | Open |
| Faunce Student Services, stairs/walkway near front entry | FM work order, LW-100634 | Open |
| SRC Loading Dock | FM work order, LN-100775 | Open |
NEW BUSINESS
No New Business
SAFETY HAPPENINGS
Laura Weber shared that the WMU Risk Management Office is bringing risk and prevention presentations to campus on February 6, 2025, in room 2209 of the WMU Student Center. Employees attending these presentations will gain valuable insights into emerging risks, and these insights can be brought back and implemented into their own departments. All employees are welcome to attend any of the presentations: Risk in the Artificial Intelligence Era 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Navigating the Playing Field: Athletics Risks 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., and Mental Health and Risk on Campus 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Any questions, call (269) 387-4825.
David Prellwitz discussed Landscape Service’s snow removal efforts with regards to snow plowing and application of salt. Depending on temperatures and snow fall rates salting may or may not take place following snow plowing; vice versa salting may take place while no plowing efforts are needed. It is not atypical that salting of walking surfaces is not performed after a first plow, particularly in situations where follow up plowing is anticipated.
Cindy Beebe mentioned that Custodial Services recently brought on 5 new personnel. Juanita Snell stated that she will be working with the EHS department to get their initial safety training completed. Cindy also mentioned that Custodians have been assisting with salting of walking surfaces just outside of exterior doors; where salt buckets are present.
Mark Weiss reminded the Committee members to be aware of the upcoming forecasted winter and frigid weather. Utilizing safe walking practices and defensive driving techniques are strongly encouraged in order to prevent accidents and injuries. Jake Woods also expressed appreciation to Landscape Services for their continuous hard work related to snow and ice removal efforts.
Jake Woods shared that the Environmental Protection Agency recognizes January as National Radon Action Month, a national effort to increase awareness of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of radon-resistant new construction practices. Radon is a serious health risk facing tens of thousands of Americans. Exposure to radon gas causes more than 20,000 deaths annually and it is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Further information can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/radon/national-radon-action-month-information.
The next UMSC meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 11th, 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: 1/28/2025