Minutes of the Memorial University &

Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association

Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC) Meeting

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

9:30 a.m.

Room: C-2001

Present:Mr. Ian McKinnon, MUN Representative and Co-Chair; Dr. Mark Abrahams, MUN Representative; Ms. Tracey Pittman, MUN Representative; Dr. Stephan Curtis, MUNFA Representative and Co-Chair; Ms. Stacey Penney, MUNFA Representative; Dr. Alan Hall, MUNFA Representative; Ms. Barbara Battcock, Associate Director, Environmental Health and Safety

Regrets:Mr. Mark Bailey, Health and Safety Advisor, Environmental Health and Safety

Minutes taken by:R. Kelly

  1. The Agenda–Mr. McKinnon motioned for agenda approval; Dr. Curtis seconded the motion.
  1. The minutes from the September 2, 2015 meeting were reviewed; Dr. Curtis moved for approval and Ms. Penneyseconded the motion.
  1. Safety Talk – Are you at Risk for a Soft Tissue Damage, the University have an Ergonomics Specialist on Staff. Employees can request a workstation assessment by downloading and completing the Request for Ergonomic Assessment Form located under the Employee Services tab in the MUN portal (my.mun.ca).
  1. Update on items “for Action” fromSeptember 2, 2015 meeting:

a)Tier I & III Committee Updates–Mr. McKinnon discussed the “Designated Authority (DA)” in which it proposes the assignment of a senior administrator for each building to help address a health, safety, security and risk (HSSR) concerns. The proposal is on the agenda for approval at Vice President Council.

Tier III – at the July Tier I meeting, approval was given for some smaller building base committees to be amalgamated. The approval was tabled and approved there are now 26 workplace committees. Dr. Curtis asked Ms. Battcock if the committee could have a list of who is on each workplace committee.

b)Incident Management System (MIMS) – Ms. Battcock circulated the current year-to-date Incident Report for St. John’s Campus and the “New Employee Safety Orientation Checklist” form.

c)Drinking Water Issues – The Tier I Committee have formed a working group committee and are working on protocols for this issue.

d)Update on the Proposed Demolition of the Pedway from the Chemistry to Earth Sciences Buildings– Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) completed a risk assessment. More discussion was had re a final report on how to deal with protocols to safely transport chemicals after removal of Pedway. Dr. Abrahams informed thattheconsolidated stores in the Faculty of Science have purchased new specialized carts to transport chemicals and to help prevent spills. Mr. McKinnon asked to have a copy of the final report.

e)Update on the Water Fountain near A-2050 – the fountain was repaired, the drain had let go.

  1. New Business

i)Two complaints from ASMs re 1 thermostat that controls more than 1 office and when windows are open, second hand smoke enters the offices –There was discussion on this matter on what more the administration could do to enforce the No-Smoking policy to ensure people were not breathing in second hand smoke. Ms. Battcock indicated that Campus Enforcement (CEP) will step up enforcement on the smoking ban.

ii)Uncovered holes in walls with plaster containing asbestos (near Registrar’s Office and washroom A-4022) – Discussion was had regarding how long it takes to have holes covered after placing an e-Alert. There were three new uncovered holes created due to renovations and it took a period of time to have them covered. The building committee are aware of this issue. Ms. Battcock indicated that an EHS advisor has to inspect work sites involving abatement to tie off each job.

  1. Other Business

i)Training on MIMS – Ms. Battcock informed that EHS will set up training for OSH committee co-chairs.

  1. Next Meeting

______

Ian McKinnonStephan Curtis

MUN Representative Co-ChairMUNFA Representative Co-Chair

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