UMSC July Minutes
UNION-MANAGEMENT SAFETY COMMITTEE
July 2024 Meeting Minutes
The monthly meeting of the Union-Management Safety Committee was conducted on July 9th, 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
Mark Heeres A Dining Services
Devin Johnson A Maintenance Services
Darrell Junkins A Landscape Services
David Prellwitz A Landscape Services
Keith Pung A Environmental Health and Safety
Judy Slumkoski A Custodial Services
Joe VanDerBos VA Sindecuse Health Center
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 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.
Mark Weiss provided an update to the safety concern regarding the prevalence of 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. Mark Weiss investigated the historical issue and is in the process of coordinating with a pest control - falconry contractor. Typically, nests and other physical items are removed from spaces prior to when a bird of prey is used to remove unwanted birds. He will continue to work with University Athletics in developing a mitigation plan and provide a follow up.
Devin Johnson provided an update to the 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.
Mark Weiss provided an update to 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. Mark stated that he is in the process of working with Facilities Management in procurement and installation in areas they were not installed during building construction.
Darrell Junkins previously provided an update to the safety concern regarding condition of large trees near the parking lot located west of the Goldsworth Valley I complex. A recent near-miss accident involved a fallen tree which struck and severely damaged a parked Maintenance Services vehicle. An employee was outside of the building and in close proximity at the time of the incident; fortunately, no personal injuries were incurred. The fallen tree was cleaned up but it appeared that no further action was taken at that time. Vince Renda requested that a safety assessment be performed of the trees which surround the parking lot and nearby pedestrian areas. Darrell stated that Tom Sauber and Devin Johnson have been working through the situation. A thorough inspection of the area was performed by an arborist which resulted in a recommendation of additional trees being removed. A large tree adjacent to the vehicle parking area was scheduled to be cut down on the 3/12/24. Additional trees, located deeper into the wooded area, were also identified for removal. Darrell mentioned that the smaller trees had been recently removed and that a thorough assessment was performed by a WMU arborist. No further imminent issues are present at this time.
COMPLETED/CLOSED
David Prellwitz previously introduced a safety issue involving multiple locations of damaged concrete walkways that have been observed by Landscape Services personnel. The committee discussed the situation and encouraged members to document (photos, map, description, etc.) the areas of concern and forward the information to FM Service for further assessment/repair by responsible department(s).
COMPLETED/CLOSED
Jake Woods provided an update to the safety concern involving deterioration and spalling of concrete on the exterior stair system located in between Shaw-Gilmore Theatre and Brown Hall. It was also mentioned that the handrails were thought to be loose or corroded at their base. Jake inspected the stairwell in question and observed the following structural issues: guard railing on North side of stairwell is loose and many of the support posts rusted through. The situation was made known to Landscape Services/Engineering/FM Service and was to added to do the deferred maintenance list.
COMPLETED/CLOSED
PROJECT LIST/TABLE
No updates.
NEW BUSINESS
David Prellwitz 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 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 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 are taking measures to resolve them.
Mark Heeres expressed concerns regarding hot working conditions within certain Dining Services cooking areas in the Student Center. Jake Woods mentioned that he was 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). EHS will further investigate and provide a follow up.
SAFETY HAPPENINGS
David Prellwitz inquired about alternative methods of how employees in the field working by themselves can receive heat stress alerts. Jake Woods discussed the process where individuals can sign up to receive text alerts to their personal mobile phone. Interested personnel should provide their mobile phone number and name of carrier to Jake Woods of the EHS department.
Josh Balfour shared that the Student Center recently experienced an active fire alarm. The system activated well with the visual and audio annunciators working appropriately on all floors of the building. Employees assisted occupants with a successful evacuation.
Darrell Junkins mentioned that Landscape Services has begun a re-shaping project in the area West of the curves near the intersection of Ring Rd. South. and Auditorium Drive. The project involves removal of some tress and vegetation, also with other efforts. This will greatly enhance visual recognition of pedestrians on nearby sidewalks which has been a UMSC business item in the past.
Jake Woods shared that the National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recognize July as Vehicle Theft Prevention Month. In 2023, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen in the United States—a 25% increase in vehicle theft totals over the previous few years. Vehicle theft is a multi-billion-dollar crime, costing vehicle owners more than $8 billion each year. Summers prove to be the worst season for vehicle theft. Further information can be found at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/vehicle-theft-prevention.
The next UMSC meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 13th, 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: 8-5-24