CBE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL TECHNICIANS’ MEETING
Tuesday, March 23, 2004 – 1:00 PM
Admiralty Room, Library, Sir Winston Churchill
5220 Northland Drive, NW
MINUTES
Present:
Brenda S., Rebecca M., Marzena C., Wally B., Pat V., Dianne S., Helen L., Pat K., Theresa M., Nasreen M., Hanna S., Mary S., Karen W., Shraddha D., Tai L., Karen K., Jean M., Kathleen G.
Regrets:
Steve M., Lynda R.
1) Changes to the Agenda
The agenda was accepted.
2) Minutes
Minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted.
Karen Keeler from SWC was introduced to the science techs and welcomed.
3) Rebecca M.
a) Rebecca sees our role changing to increased use of technology and involvement in providing back up expertise to teachers using calculators, computers, and computer hardware and software in classrooms. She shared some examples of online resources that could be used as safer alternatives.
Chemistry Comes Alive –
The Digitized World is Upon Us –
As glycerin is used in a number of experiments some information on glycerin that might be useful for the organic chemistry section –
Sites that teachers might obtain dangerous procedures from:
b) Rebecca gave out handouts on the steps for using her Access 2000 Chemical Database
c) Rebecca suggested that we devise a way to provide in house training and expertise in specific areas for ourselves. One possibility would be to form speciality subgroups amongst ourselves such as CBL probe specialists, equipment repair/maintenance, biology, physics, and so on. The areas of expertise could be appended to individual names on the tech phone list.
d) WHMIS symbol templates are available under <a href= target=newwindow>Photocopy Originals</a> in Resources on the science technologists manual site.
e) O H&S website has a Flash tutorial on the Act, Regs and Code: href=” target=newwindow> Select the link “Alberta O H&S Legislation Awareness”. In the applet, the last book on the mini-bookshelf on the left is a test your knowledge game.
f) Copies of Edmonton Public Board safety documents were passed around for information.
4. Jean M.
a) Bev Johnston, Employee Health Resources Centre, referred Jean back to Wally regarding testing science techs for lead blood levels, saying that he was in the process of performing environmental tests. It was news to Wally and he is not responsible for employee testing. Wally read from the O H&S Code: “an employee can refuse to perform unsafe work on reasonable grounds.” If we feel it is unsafe to use lead solutions, solid metals and salts, then we can refuse to do so, possibly substitute other labs for lead ones.
b) Science technologists are still classified as “science technicians” as Grade E, but went up within the “E” grade. If we have an increased use of technology then in future we can apply for a re-classificaton.
c) In response to a question on pro-rating our salary over 12 months, Jean replied that CBE’s new computer system may allow it. She’ll check although if paid over 12 months, we would lose EI over the summer.
d) Unless there is a prior agreement with the Principal to be paid cash for overtime, we are paid in lieu time. The rate is 1 ½ times the regular rate after your FTE, 2 times on weekends. Extra time (time sheeted hours) can’t be bought back to apply to a pension. In our new job description, we are to do shopping during work hours.
e) The WHMIS audits are finished and the reports will follow.
5. Wally B.
a) Routine waste disposal will remain the same for now. He requested ideas for streamlining the cost and time spent collecting routine waste, e.g. using larger waste containers. Some schools lack storage space for larger containers. Wally would like to have a standardized pickup location and asked that a floor plan be sent with the next requests as to where the waste will be stored.
b) Regarding the WHMIS audits, R. Allen sent Wally a memo commending the hardwork and organization of the science technologists.
c) There is a delay placing the Handbook on Public Folders.
d) New O H&S Code effective May 1, 2004, state that when a consumer product is transferred to another container and the original container is not kept, a worksite label and MSDS are required. If the original container is kept only the product name is required on the new container.
If a substance is consumed during a workers shift and only one person will be using that substance, then a worksite label is not required. If it goes out to a classroom, it needs a worksite label and a MSDS must be available.
If dropper bottles are in a labelled box with WHMIS symbols, etc., then WHMIS labels are not required on each bottle.
If unknown substances are in a set e.g. Unknown A, B, C, then the teacher must have a key to beable to look up MSDS if needed.
For small amounts it is possible to use the “limited quantity” category.
Flammables and Corrosives cabinets must be kept locked, if not located in locked storage or prep rooms. Science technicians can make the decision about which concentrations of the respective solutions are stored in the cabinets.
For storage purposes, use WHMIS classifications, not TDG. For a table of WHMIS codes, visit the HRDC website or the Canada Dept of Justice Hazardous Products Act.
Acetic acid and nitric acid storage – check supplier for their recommendation.
Distilled water wash bottles should each be labelled.
Tape is not required on non-routine waste container lids.
Batteries for disposal – send a request to Wally for non-routine waste disposal.
Wally is to check on what the requirements are for plumbed in eyewash stations are.
e) Determining worker status of students:
Detention: the student is not considered to be a worker and must be supervised by a competent person
Work experience/course credits: if the student is volunteering but registered and attending a different school, then the student must be over 14 and fill out a volunteer form.
Volunteers to clean and organize and registered at the same school are considered a worker.
6. Brenda S.
a) Vereburn doesn’t supply PVA bags anymore so Marzena volunteered to coordinate purchases from a new supplier, Medical Mart, Calgary Phone:370-7746, dissolvable bags are currently $62/case
b) Brenda pointed out that suppliers are not required to put WHMIS classifications on their product labels or MSDSs and that the type is too small to read on Scholar’s MSDS’s.
7. Dianne S.
a) Dianne asked if we should have more specific WHMIS training other than the student one currently available to us. We only have Wally’s TDG workshops, no WHMIS videos or courses specific to us.
Next meeting: Tuesday, May 4
Chair: Kathleen;Recorder: Marzena