CBE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TECHNOLOGISTS MEETING

Tuesday March 17, 2015 1:00 pm

Central Memorial High School

CHAIRPERSON: Theresa Michiel

RECORDER: Cheryl Waye

ATTENDANCE:

Present: Cheryl Waye Crescent Heights High School

Nasreen Muhammad Central Memorial High School

Karen Williams Bowness High School

Shraddha Dholabhai J.G. Diefenbaker High School

Kathy Lepard Centennial High School

Leigh Edmonds James Fowler High School

Scott Jubinville Lord Beaverbrook High School

Marilyn McLachlan William Aberhart High School

Colleen Brent Robert Thirsk High School

Tai Leung Ernest Manning High School

Rebecca Michaels Sir Winston Churchill High School

Sabnom Yesmin Queen Elizabeth High School

Theresa Michiel Forest Lawn High School

Zia Awan Lester B. Pearson

Regrets: Sandeep Gill Henry Wisewood High School

Maureen Simon E.P. Scarlett High School

Marzena Curyk Western High School

2. CONSIDERATON OF THE AGENDA: Addition requested: Discussion of new flammable and corrosive cabinets offered by Safety Advisory Services

3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: held on January 20, 2015

After a change in 4b:15c to Warren Ferguson, the minutes were accepted by Leigh Edmonds and seconded by Kathy Lepard.

4. POLICIES/REGULATIONS/SAFETY:

a) Rebecca Michaels wished to seek project management time to have work time as a lab tech team to revise the last Secondary Science Laboratory Guidelines of 2011.

b) Science Techs approach to transitioning to WHMIS 2015, which is what we call the new GHS

Requirements for worksite labels are:

Product Name

Safe Handling

Symbols on them is not a requirement

SDS Available

The following links are helpful resources for a poster of new symbols

http://www.ccohs.ca/products/publications/whmis_ghs/

It is cheaper to order the posters from the site than to print them at our schools in colour on large paper and laminate them.

Rebecca will post to our Science Tech on line Manual

www.projects.cbe.ab.ca/churchill/scitech/index.html

A discussion ensued for consistency within high schools of reference binders used for Safety Data Sheets. Most techs are using 3 binders, for A-D, E-O, and P-Z

New legislation – SDS do not need to be updated every 3 years.

It was agreed that any techs who would like to attend a PD day on April 6 at Central Memorial High School could study together the 117 pages of the Canada Gazette

http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2015/2015-02-11/html/sor-dors17-eng.php

These websites from Theresa Michaels for eye safety posters are also recommended.

Science & Safety Consulting Services (this is main website)
http://www.safetyemporium.com/ILPI_Site/WebPagesUS/detail.htm?11020
Comparison of Eye Protection Options Poster (top item)
http://www.sciencesafetyconsulting.com/products/index.html

5. SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT/CHEMICAL

a) New contact information is in the online science tech manual under 1. Contacts, 3 Purchasing

Farhad Moezzi started in February with Merlan Scientific

Lois Corbeil is the Carolina representative with Merlan

b) Corrosive Cabinets offered to us by Safety Advisory Services:

It was also noted that the new cabinets would not be safely stored above working lab bench height. Locked unvented corrosive cabinets can be put in an adjacent classroom. We should take advantage of this offer.

6. EXPERIMENTAL PREPARATIONS (Kathy)

a) Titration Solutions: Kathy asked about the preparation of KOH solutions for titrations. Both the pellets and the flakes are hygroscopic.

b) Lab final exams: Chem 20 final exams – 6 out of 14 high schools prepare Chem 20 final lab exams

Science 10 final Lab exams – only Churchill

7. COMMUNICATIONS

a) Science Tech Manual on line: Colleen, Scott and Rebecca have made additions to the site. Take a look to see how it has been reorganized Contacts, Safety, Preparations, Waste, Equipment, Chemical Safety, General and Resources

RiskAssess – It has been noted that the monitoring and review, and review notes are not saved from previous requests when we “Create a Modified Copy” Rebecca will ask Phillip if he can adjust this for us.

- remember that Author’s Update requires another signing by the teacher.

b) Update on Support Staff meetings with Cheryl Waye, Rebecca Michaels and Lois Robb:

Cheryl and Rebecca met with Lois at the Support Staff Headquarters.

PSS: We cannot be considered as part of the Professional Support Staff even though we meet most of the criteria because we are not Behavioral Sciences/Health Sciences.

Lower Pensionable Income for 2014 noticed by Marilyn: Vacation Pay is on our pay stub. Marilyn had checked her pension estimate with LAPP. As of January 1,2014 our vacation pay is not included in our pensionable earning, but Albert was very shocked to hear of this because staff association wasn’t notified. Albert will contact Marilyn who will report to us.

If our hours are being changed, the 48 hours notice required to be given by CBE includes only working days of notice.

Evaluation of Job Description: There continue to be changes in HR and the job evaluation process.

Lois was given a summary of the science technician PD days spent on developing consistent and all inclusive training for new science technicians and the creation of a “Binder outlining Career Development for Educational Science Laboratory Professionals”.

Examples were given to Lois of the safety issues regarding the hiring of casuals who are placed in schools without sufficient training or the required CBE certifications (TDG and Respirator fit testing). An orientation binder was shown to her.

Lois will call a committee meeting of various levels within Human Resources and Safety Advisory Services.

8. KEEPING CURRENT/TRAINING:

a) Update on STAS Conference

Olds College June 22, 2015:

Representatives from Westlab and Merlan.

WHMIS 2015 for the entire province

Tour of Olds College

Remember to apply for PD funding from Staff Association after the agenda has been received.

Dawn Martin, is now on the Casual List. She intends to visit our schools so that she will know in advance the layout of the labs, safety and the ordering process for each.

9. MISCELLANEOUS:

The year end wind up will be at Dawn’s house in June. We will let her choose the date.

Collen Brent will replace Dawn as our gift/card coordinator. Collen is collecting $20.00 dollars from each of us per year.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 pm