UMSC May Minutes

UNION-MANAGEMENT SAFETY COMMITTEE

May 2024 Meeting Minutes

The monthly meeting of the Union-Management Safety Committee was conducted on May 14^th, 2024 by the Environmental Health and Safety department with the following individuals in attendance:

Kelly Duncan              A                     Landscape Services

Cory Ghiringhelli        A                     Environmental Health and Safety

Mark Heeres               A                     Dining Services           

Devin Johnson            A                     Maintenance Services

Darrell Junkins            A                     Landscape Services

Keith Pung                  A                     Environmental Health and Safety

Juanita Snell                A                     Custodial Services

In-Person Attendance:        (A)

Virtual Attendance:            (VA)

OLD BUSINESS

Darrell Jukins 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. 

Devin Johnson provided an update to the safety concern involving damage to walking/structural components of the Ellsworth Hall parking structure (#1) and associated crossover walkway.  Deteriorated concrete elements of the building structure were recently observed by Landscape Services personnel, who forwarded along photographic documentation of the situation.  Devin mentioned that the areas of disrepair will be attended to during parking structure repair efforts which are scheduled for summer 2024.  

Judy Slumkoski previously introduced a safety concern regarding the prevalence of birds and bird feces in the Seeyle Center. Judy 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.  It was mentioned during the May meeting that power-wash cleaning of the affected building areas has not been completed in a couple of years.  Mark Weiss will investigate, work with University Athletics in developing a mitigation plan, and provide a follow up.

Devin Johnson provided an update to the safety concern involving access to overhead mounted air handling units located in the Paper Pilot Plant.  Vince Renda previously stated that air handling units 1 and 2 are suspended from the ceiling and do not have a catwalk leading to them.  An articulating aerial lift is kept stored in the Paper Plant or the loading dock of Floyd Hall that would facilitate safe access to the mechanical equipment, but operations within the Paper Plant would need to be paused to allow for usage.  Committee discussions involved potential installation of a catwalk system or communication between Maintenance Services and the Paper Plant regarding temporary interruption of operations.  Devin, along with other UMSC members met onsite and determined that installation of a catwalk was the most appropriate and safe method moving forward.  Devin advised that Maintenance Services contracted with a fabricating contractor who built and installed the catwalk systems.

COMPLETED/CLOSED 

PROJECT LIST/TABLE 

No updates.

NEW BUSINESS

Juanita Snell introduced a safety issue involving sharp edges on Dunbar Hall lower level entryway and 3^rd floor handrails.  Juanita mentioned that a Custodial Services employee recently incurred a hand laceration after touching the affected building component(s).  Devin Johnson will investigate and provide a follow up.

Kathy Cain-Babbitt introduced a safety concern via email submission 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 is also in need of stair tread repair-replacement.  Devin Johnson mentioned that Student Affairs has expressed intent to replace and/or repair damaged loading dock spaces. 

Kathy Cain-Babbitt 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. 

SAFETY HAPPENINGS

Committee discussed the recent tornado outbreak which impacted local communities.  The RAVE communication system worked well on devices such as mobile text, email, and voicemail notifications.  Addition of an external annunciator speaker system for The Student Center will be explored. 

Juanita Snell stated that Custodial Services has developed a robust training program for newly hired employees.  The program is designed to ensure that all employees receive the necessary training and skills to successfully perform their job. 

Kelly Duncan inquired about safe access procedures and fall protection harness training for the Dunbar Hall green-roof spaces. 

EHS mentioned that garbage truck lock out / tag out training garbage truck was recently attended by Landscape Services operator personnel. 

EHS shared that The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, with support from the National Safety Council and dozens of other groups, asks employers to take a few minutes to discuss fall protection and safety when working from heights during the 2024 National Safety Stand-down May 6-10.  This is an annual observance held each year highlighting that falls from elevation are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for workers after highway crashes.  In 2022, 700 workers died, and in 2021-22, 129,010 were injured due to falls from elevation. All of these deaths are preventable.  The program was originally a two-year effort, launched on Workers Memorial Day in 2012, to raise awareness of preventing fall hazards in construction. It was so successful, it continues at the start of every construction season in May. Tens of thousands of employers and millions of workers have participated.  Further information can be found at:  https://www.nsc.org/workplace/safety-topics/slips-trips-and-falls/osha-fall-safety-stand-down.

The next UMSC meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 11^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: 5/31/2024