TRU Joint Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) Minutes

Date: Monday, May 2, 2011 @ 2:30

Location:HR Meeting Room, TRU

Present:

Marge Huntley, Disability Serv.Susan Purdy, Science

Gordon Maurits, OHSWarren Asuchak, Facilities

Ken Tessier, SecurityVictoria Baker, TRU World

Pat Barringer, TradesDavid Freeze, Adventure Programs

Chelsea Corsi, WellnessGurjit Lalli, IT Services (for Jean Crowe)

Pamela MacIntosh-Snell, Recording Secretary

Guests: No guests at this meeting.

Co-Chairs:

Marge Huntley, Employer Representative

Susan Purdy, Employee Representative

Introductions: of new Chairs and attendees.

Meeting called to order at:2:35 p.m.

Adoption of Previous Minutes - Moved by Marge Huntley, all in favour.

Adoption of Agenda–with addition of the following items:

New Business:

  • JOHSC Planning Day
  • Address Monthly Educational Topics

Moved by Marge Huntley, all in favour.

Marge Huntley conducted the Safety Orientation for third floor of Old Main.

OLD BUSINESS:

  1. Update/Recap on In-Camera item.
  2. JOHSC PD Session – Rescheduled for May 30th. Carolynne Fardy arranging it and is not present at today’s meeting. 10 – 12 people are registered. Lynn will provide a hot lunch for attendees. Marge Huntley will clarify with Carolynne.
  3. Response to Air Quality JOSHC recommendation – Warren Asuchak confirmed that signs will be posted when work is being done as an advisory. - COMPLETE
  4. Path near Open Learning Building –discussion came about from an Accident Investigation (a slip and fall). Gordon to lead, Facilities to investigate options to move forward. To be readdressed at JOSHC meeting in June.
  5. Handicap Parking for Old Main – Warren Asuchak in favour and will look into options. Not really a JOHSC item – to be removed from the agenda moving forward.
  6. Marge Huntley asked about parking situation when renovations begin on the 3rd floor of Old Main and if Handicap parking would be further impacted. Warren Asuchak will look into it.
  7. First Aid Training – 3 people are being trained for Level II now and the first aid kits are ready to go. Stacey Jyrkkanen is meeting with Brenda Bliss and Boyd Fischer to review first aid calls protocol. The 3 people will divide the campus areas until more are trained. Security is still the back up for these calls.
  8. Trades will look after their own building.
  9. 1 person will cover: OL & the Houses. 1 person will cover: the circle of buildings (CAC, AE, International & House of Learning). 1 person will cover Science, Gym & CATC. More training to come in September.
  10. Dean of Arts posted a link to his blog on the staff list today regarding AED in the AE Building:

INSPECTION REPORT DATA:

  • Gordon Maurits reported that all Building Inspections for April are complete (26 buildings). Almost all buildings have safety committees now. Gordon Maurits will continue to inspect Science and Trades buildings.

FIRST AID/INCIDENT INVESTIGATION DATA:

  1. Gordon Maurits provided a summary sheet for April– Accident Statistics and First Aid Data (see attached).
  2. Marge Huntley requested that we get the same break down for students twice a year, at the end of each semester April and December.
  3. Gordon will do this for the JOSHC June meeting.
  4. No incident investigations for April. Incident Investigation Data will be discussed quarterly moving forward.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Cosmetic Pesticide Use on Campus: Susan Purdy made reference to articles from the Canadian Cancer Society and the Dr.’s of Manitoba and the Ontario Physicians groups advocating banning the use of pesticides for cosmetic use. Because TRU is a leader in Environment & Sustainability and education Susan Purdy feels that this is the perfect place to implement a ban in Kamloops. Our people are trained at TRU, but it shouldn’t be used on Campus.
  2. Susan Purdy made a motion to advocate a ban on cosmetic use of pesticides. Chelsea Corsi seconded the motion. The example of 2,4-D was given.

Chelsea Corsi discussed her concern as a Mother with children in daycare on campus gave the example of pulling her children out of daycare after spraying had been done around the daycare centre.

Warren Asuchak made an amendment to the motion to provide 2 weeks’ notice prior to spraying. He discussed the lack of resources for alternate methods, for example manually pulling the weeds.

Victoria Baker suggested there be a recommendation and that a campus / organizational buy-in campaign is needed. Chelsea Corsi also suggested that it is an Environmental/Sustainability and Health/Safety joint concern or responsibility.

Warren Asuchak discussed the example where weeds were left to take over and the number of complaints that were received due to the appearance of Campus common areas. People were very disappointed.

  • Amended motion to move forward with: Recommendation to discontinue pesticide use. All in favour, only one opposed. JOHSC Co-chairs will provide this recommendation to the administration.
  • Additional motion by Chelsea Corsi: Provide a minimum of two weeks’ notice prior to spraying pesticides on campus. Gurjit Lalli seconded. All in favour.
  1. JOHSC Planning Day –Marge Huntley and Susan Purdy, Co-Chairs will organize a half day planning session at the end of August. Sue Purdy will send out a “Doodle Poll”
  2. Educational Monthly Topics - thesewill be removed from future agendas as the information on topics can be found on the OH&S website.

RECOMMENDATIONS to TRU:

  1. Use of Cosmetic Pesticides on Campus

Request to remove the allotted time column from the agendas moving forward.

Meeting adjourned at 3:45.

Note: The recommended time limit of the meeting is one and a half hours. If there is unfinished business after that time, a special meeting may be scheduled (in time sensitive matters) or the issue can be carried over to the next meeting.