UMSC September Minutes

UNION-MANAGEMENT SAFETY COMMITTEE

September 2025 Meeting Minutes

The monthly meeting of the Union-Management Safety Committee was conducted on September 9^th, 2025 by the Environmental Health and Safety department with the following individuals in attendance:

Cindy Beebe               A                     Custodial Services

Kathy Cain-Babbitt     A                     AFSCME

Darrell Junkins            A                     Landscape Services

Mark Frever                A                     Landscape Services

David Prellwitz           A                     Landscape Services

Keith Pung                  A                     Environmental Health and Safety

Juanita Snell                A                     Custodial Services

Dion VanAtter            A                     Maintenance 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 involving the lack of tornado shelter and evacuation maps for the Landscape Services and ROTC areas in the Campus Services Building.  The maps are typically located on walls, approximately 5’ high, near building entries.  Jake Woods investigated and gathered necessary information regarding current locations of fire extinguishers and alarm pull stations.  Devin mentioned that the data, along with hand-noted floor prints, are being used by Facilities Management to create updated evacuation maps. Jake Woods will further investigate for a follow up. 

Mark Frever provided further insight into the situation involving damaged concrete stairs at Waldo Stadium that were observed by the Custodial Services Special Projects group.  Cindy Beebe had previously introduced the topic sharing photos with the committee and her supervisor.  Committee discussions recommended forwarding the photos and description to the FM Service Center for their awareness of the issue and resolution. Mark shared that he recently met with Vandermay Construction for an onsite assessment of the facility.  Approximately 27 locations of damage were noted, including 9-10 step and bull nose features.  Efforts are underway to coordinate and schedule the necessary repairs.

COMPLETED/CLOSED 

Jake Woods previously provided an update to the safety concern involving a trip and fall hazard at the loading dock ground surface of the Student Recreation Center.  This location is a clock in/out spot for Custodians and has significant pedestrian foot traffic on a daily basis.  A custodian had recently tripped and fell in one of the gaps while accessing the building; some of the gaps are nearing 6" or more in depth. FM work order #LN-100775 was previously submitted, and is still open, regarding the historical issue. Jake investigated, found the conditions to be as described, and subsequently brought to the attention of Landscape Services, Engineering, and Parking Services.  Jake shared that Landscape Services determined the current condition of the existing concrete requires removal and replacement. The current intent is to present the safety concern at the upcoming October asset renewal meeting/presentation.

COMPLETED/CLOSED 

Jake Woods provided an update to the safety concern involving the Britton-Hadley Hall elevated entryway.  Tradespeople recently observed some damage to the structure and were unsure if its structural integrity was impacted. Committee discussions revealed that historical repairs had been made to the entryway in question and that there may be an open work order to remove temporary bracing that had been used. Jake had met with Devin Johnson and Vince Renda onsite for a review of the situation.  The walkway structure was found to be in good condition but timber framing from a past repair had not been removed.  Devin helped to facilitate completion of a previously submitted FM work order; the timber framing was removed by Maintenance Services tradespeople. 

COMPLETED/CLOSED 

David Prellwitz previously inquired the Committee regarding their knowledge of a new 72-hour rule with respect to tree cutting.  Darrell Junkins clarified that the newly developed 72-hour guidance will not impact emergency removal (fallen in roadway/sidewalk, dangerous condition) but is to allow time for review and planning for selective cuttings.

COMPLETED/CLOSED 

Cindy Beebe previously opened a Committee discussion involving recent road closures and how they may impact emergency responses on campus. Mark Weiss mentioned that he and the Planning, Design, and Construction department met with representatives from local jurisdictions earlier this spring regarding the same topic. Upcoming projects and how they would impact campus road and walkways, along with alternative response routes were discussed.

COMPLETED/CLOSED

PROJECT LIST/TABLE 

No new projects introduced.

NEW BUSINESS

Cindy Beebe introduced a safety concern involving observations of damaged asphalt located near the East entrance of the Bill Brown facility. Committee discussions recommended forwarding photos and description of the damaged walkway maerials to the FM Service Center for their awareness of the issue and resolution.

Cindy Beebe introduced a safety concern regarding safe work access and environment for the Custodial Services Special Projects division.  The group has recently encountered work locations, predominately newer on-campus construction, where safe access to rooftops/certain exterior locations was not provided or engineered into the building’s design.  Jake Woods will meet with Cindy to help identify if/how these spaces can be safely accessed. 

SAFETY HAPPENINGS

Laura Weber commented that she has scheduled her retirement from WMU and reminded everyone if there was some type of loss control equipment/training/seminar or employment practices liability seminar/training that went on in your area this fiscal year and you would like some help with covering that cost, please complete the request form that can be found at https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/2024-08/mdlc_epl_form_-_3_1.pdf for reimbursement and return it to Laura before the end of 2025 or to the Legal Affairs, Risk and Compliance department by March 27, 2026.

Kathy Cain-Babbitt expressed her appreciation to the USMC (being a member for close to 30 years) and shared that she has scheduled her retirement.  David Prellwitz will be replacing Kathy as the WMU-AFSCME Chief Steward. Please join Kathy at her upcoming retirement celebration on Friday, Sept. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the W Club room at Seeyle Athletic Center.

Mark Frever shared that Landscape Services are approaching their winter season schedule.  Snow and ice removal efforts in high priority areas such as Custodial Services clock-in/out and Dining Services locations will be serviced starting at 3:00 a.m. Please let the FM Service Center know if any areas are missed or require further action. 

Mark Frever mentioned that Ishika Sen will continue to work with the Landscape Services department helping to coordinate and schedule various training and professional development efforts.  Mark also stated that Landscape Services is actively replacing multiple stormwater drains/collection basins and cement sidewalk panels located throughout campus. 

Juanita Snell is continuing practical blood borne clean-up event training sessions with Custodial Services personnel.  

Darrel Junkins mentioned that he will be coordinating a fall protection and Dunbar Hall green roof safety training session for Landscape Services personnel with the EHS department. 

Keith Pung shared that the EHS department will be completing after-sunset fire drills in Residence Halls this week. 

Jake Woods shared that the National Safety Council recognizes September as National Preparedness Month.  Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and held annually in September, is a good reminder that natural and man-made disasters can strike at any time. It's important to have a planned response when you're at work, on vacation or on the road.  Further information can be found at: https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness/emergency-preparedness-home.

The next UMSC meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 14^th, 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: 9/17/25