UMSC March Minutes
UNION-MANAGEMENT SAFETY COMMITTEE
March 2025 Meeting Minutes
The monthly meeting of the Union-Management Safety Committee was conducted on March 11th, 2025 by the Environmental Health and Safety department with the following individuals in attendance:
Will Arbogast A Sindecuse Health Center
Kathy Cain-Babbitt A AFSCME
Cindy Beebe A Custodial Services
Cory Ghiringhelli A Environmental Health and Safety
Devin Johnson A Maintenance Services
Darrell Junkins A Landscape Services
Greg Macleery VA Dining Services
David Prellwitz A Landscape Services
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 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.
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.
Cindy Beebe provided an update to the safety concern regarding winter weather safety and improvements that could be made for late shift Custodial Services personnel. She expressed appreciation to Landscape Services for their fast response in providing late shift Custodial Services employees a small container of salt that will be used to prevent slips-falls when exiting their personal vehicles.
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 items introduced.
SAFETY HAPPENINGS
David Prellwitz encouraged all committee members and their constituents to practice safe driving and walking practices due to the increased prevalence of heavy equipment and semi traffic on campus. Active projects include construction of Goldsworth Valley #3 and the demolition of the Ellsworth Hall Parking Ramp. Upcoming projects include the demolition of Vandercook Hall and the removal of a section of Michigan Avenue located West of Ring Road N.
Laura Weber shared that the WMU Office of Legal Affairs Risk and Compliance are bringing its loss control representative to campus to present on several topics March 25, 2025, in room 2209 of the Student Center. All are welcome to attend any of the sessions: Heat Related Illness and Death 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., RSO Risk 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., and Social Media Risk 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Any questions, call (269) 387-4825.
David Prellwitz discussed a recent incident that involved discovery of a suicide victim by a Landscape Services employee. He expressed appreciation to senior leadership for their support and help through the situation. David also reminded the committee of the importance of one’s mental health. The HelpNet Work Life Website provides WMU employees and their families with access to information, articles, and resources on a variety of topics that include family and care giving, health and wellness, emotional well-being, and daily living. Further information can be found at: https://wmich.edu/hr/resources/eap.
Jake Woods shared that the National Safety Council recognizes March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month. The goal of the annual observance is to provide employers and employees with important information to help keep eyes safe and healthy at work. More than 2,000 people injure their eyes at work each day. About 1 in 10 injuries require one or more missed workdays to recover from, and of the total amount of work-related injuries, 10-20 % will cause temporary or permanent vision loss. Experts believe that the right eye protection could have lessened the severity or even prevented 90% of eye injuries in accidents. Further information can be found at: https://preventblindness.org/2025-workplace-eye-wellness-month/.
The next UMSC meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 8th, 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: 3/17/2025