UMSC September Minutes

UNION-MANAGEMENT SAFETY COMMITTEE

September 2024 Meeting Minutes

The monthly meeting of the Union-Management Safety Committee was conducted on September 10^th, 2024 by the Environmental Health and Safety department with the following individuals in attendance:

Kathy Cain-Babbitt     A                     AFSCME

Mark Heeres               A                     Dining Services

Justin Keech                A                     Custodial Services

Pat Lem                       A                     Maintenance Services

David Prellwitz           A                     Landscape Services

Keith Pung                  A                     Environmental Health and Safety

Vince Renda               A                     Maintenance Services

Judy Slumkoski           A                     Custodial Services

Juanita Snell                A                     Custodial Services

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.  Pat Lem will investigate and provide a follow up.

Devin Johnson previously 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 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.  Pat Lem will investigate and provide a follow up.

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 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 Barb Vader of Facilities Management in procurement and installation of signage in areas where they were not installed during building construction. 

Committee discussions 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. Discussions revealed that a contractor has been engaged by Facilities Managed to reset the affected slabs.   

Mark Heeres previously 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 taking measures to resolve them. 

COMPLETED/CLOSED

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. 

COMPLETED/CLOSED

David Prellwitz previously 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. 

COMPLETED/CLOSED

Jake Woods previously provided an update from Mark Weiss regarding the situation involving 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.  Jake shared that Mark along with University Athletics had recently met with a pest control / falconry contractor to discuss a plan of action. It was mentioned that birds typically take up indoor residency during the cold season and that the situation should be reassessed once the cooler weather sets in.  Prevention of birds from coming into the building is a preferred route to physical removal.  University Athletics will promote keeping exterior doors closed when not in active use and investigate equipment which could prevent birds from entering such as door netting.

COMPLETED/CLOSED

Jake Woods previously provided an update to the concerns regarding hot working conditions within certain Dining Services cooking areas in the Student Center. Jake stated that he was previously 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).  Committee discussions in August also revealed that the overall condition of the situation has observably improved since changes/modifications to the HVAC system were implemented by Facilities Management.   

COMPLETED/CLOSED

PROJECT LIST/TABLE 

Project dated 10/31/16 removed from list due to demolition of the Bernhard Center. 

 NEW BUSINESS

David Prellwitz introduced concerns regarding a manhole cover located in Ring Road near Ellsworth Hall.  David mentioned that the immediate areas surrounding the manhole were recently repaired by the pavement contractor but that outstanding concerns remain involving whether the root cause was resolve or if the issue will reemerge next year.  Keith Pung will investigate, open a dialogue with FM-Engineering, and provide a follow up. 

David Prellwitz expressed concerns regarding ongoing soil erosion that has been observed by Landscape Services personnel near the exterior stairs adjacent to lot #30.  Sand and other soils have continuously accumulated at the bottom of the stairwell for multiple seasons and personnel are concerned about the structural integrity of the stair system.  Keith Pung will investigate, open a dialogue with FM-Engineering, and provide a follow up.

Justin Keech introduced a safety concern regarding student athlete pedestrians crossing Stadium Drive.  The safety concern involves observation of multiple instances where student athlete pedestrians were observed to cross the intersection of Stadium Drive and West Michigan Avenue haphazardly.   The student athletes in question did not use the designated crosswalk and some close calls incidents involving motor vehicles were noted. Jake Woods will investigate, bring to the attention of University Athletics, and provide a follow up. 

SAFETY HAPPENINGS

Juanita Snell stated that she is in the process of coordinating annual refresher blood borne pathogen, asbestos awareness, and ladder safety training for Custodial Services personnel. 

Jake Woods shared the following safety happening provided by Joe VanDerbos of Sindecuse Health Center.  Joe wanted to let the campus community know that Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are now available at Sindecuse Health Center.  The immunizations can be scheduled on the Sindecuse patient portal. Blue Care Network members can use this service with no out of pocket expenses.

Jake Woods shared that the National Safety Council recognizes September as National Preparedness Month, the annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe.  While the resources and information shared during National Preparedness Month and on Ready.gov can be used by anyone at any time to get prepared for whatever may come their way, this year, the campaign is focused on preparing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. The Ready Campaign aims to ensure all of our friends and neighbors have the tools they need to prepare for disasters and build resilience before disaster strikes.  Further information can be found at: https://www.ready.gov/september.

The next UMSC meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 8^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: 9/16/24