Present: Steve Girvin, Jeff Alexander, Steve Elsey, Frank Sgambelluri, Brenda Huska, Mike Nezvesky, Tina Flacigno, Heather Spivak, Stan Nemec

Started 1:34 PM

Agenda approved

Minutes approved

Injuries - for injuries to report

Not a Lakehead Employee,  contracted guard was attacked on campus after an altercation. Went to the hospital, police involved and were given video footage. Seems that the attacker was not a student or Lakehead related in any way. This raised a long discussion about security issues related to the outpost. 

Old business

1. EPID presentation slide deck/video outstanding

2. Drivers training update. TSC will be doing training soon in June Security, done except for a couple of outstanding personnel. One item mentioned is the requirement for protective, netting or barrier in mechanical vehicles.

1. Update July 17, 2025: TSC reached out to the instructor at the end of June, but TSC contact is on vacation. Time TBD. Security will join in for their outstanding personnel when it is scheduled. New vehicles coming from contract with Enterprise will have a divider between seats and cargo. They should arrive within the next couple weeks.

2. Update Aug 21 2025: Still outstanding, TSC manager is back in office, will be making arrangements.

3. Update Sept 18 2025: TSC drivers are being booked now, will discuss with Frank about security personnel who still need training to join together for booking.Barriers will be included in all future incoming vehicles. First ones came without, Steve G. looking into a solution to this. He will update Stan once he finds one so it can be applied to the existing van.

3. Terms of reference was reviewed by all members and any comments made, but most indicated no changes or comments. Health and Safety still needs to finalize and distribute/post. - Still outstanding

4. Parking lot conditions - Recommendation was sent to the university and reply is expected prior to July 2.  Contractor has indicated that a lot of cut and patches will be required.  Priority list was included in the recommendation.

1. Update July 17, 2025: Lot 13 & 14 roadway, fieldhouse, and balmoral entrance are completed. There is funding to continue patchwork in priority areas where it is appropriate. Priority will be discussed. 

2. Update Aug 21, 2025: Pretty much complete, Steve Girvin will email Lorne regarding line painting.

3. Update Sept 18, 2025: Line painting has begun, entrances, roadways, and handicap spots being done. Some more patching is going to happen in residence area and within lots.

Inspections - Another open day will be scheduled for individuals to join if they are available. Looking to book 2 weeks after meeting.

Next inspections: Braun, Prettie, Outside areas (other than CB/UC area).

New Business

5. Plant Update

UC roofing over upper lecture theatre to be starting soon. Tender has closed.

Rural Resource Centre - new equipment has been ordered and Health Unit has approved opening the building with a boil water advisory.  Signs have been posted in the washrooms.

• Update Jul 17, 2025: New equipment in place, but still under boil water order and inspector has not given all clear yet.

• Update Aug 21, 2025: Still waiting on some equipment to arrive. 

• Update Sept 18, 2025: Finally complete, no boil water advisory, back to normal.

Library Lighting - LED swap being done, half of the 4th floor is complete, looking to finish by end of summer. Currently about 90% complete.

• Update Sept 18, 2025: Completed 

Vet School - Tender has closed for project A, lower floor of CASES & 5th floor ATAC renovations.

Update Aug 21, 2025: Project A is in negotiations with contractors. Tender for project B could start next week. Will be working out how to have contractors cross the pedestrian path safely. Shouldn’t have too many interruptions for Bora Laskin, likely not an issue until spring/summer next year. Will be some noise in the meantime,

Update Sept 18, 2025: Equipment will come around back, instead of through the parking lot and walking path. Communications bulletin/communication to B.L. staff about this. Widening road around back. There were some near misses with cars, monitor for issues

Gichi Kensaasiwin - Currently looking at a list of possible locations and will be selecting site soon.

Update Aug 21, 2025: Site has been selected, not yet public.

Update Sept 18, 2025: Site announced, going beside bridge leading to fieldhouse near the river.

Lakeside Steps - Tender has been awarded and work will begin soon.

Update Aug 21, 2025: Work is occurring.
Update Sept 18, 2025: Removal complete, forms made, waiting on concrete.

Air testing for asbestos monitoring underway currently.

6. Residence Update

Next roofing job is starting and has a hard stop of Aug 22. New vendor selected for this and will be starting next week.

Update Sept 18, 2025: Roofing completed other than snow stops, which will arrive soon. Leaving sea can and will resume in May.

Previous contractor drove over light post in Av parking lot, in process for repair/reimbursement.

Update: Posts are on site and waiting to be installed, likely next week

Update: Light repaired

Furnace project awarded, currently working on ordering. Will be meeting next week or schedule. 

Update: Moving along well, large portion completed, project has been expanded to do whole building.

7. Round Table Items

Bikes will be prohibited on main campus strip, signs are up, but not a good location. Looking into other options

Steve E will be taking over for Stan once he retires

Frank: By vet school construction are there signs warning about construction and heavy equipment? Answer: Currently there are none, but steve will bring this up.

Mike: Is there training or procedures for entering residence areas, like bedrooms, alone? Current procedure for physical plant is under review, but does exist. No residence policy currently. Right now after hours RA is called. 

Minutes

June 11th, 2025.

Start 10:11 am

Hybrid ATAC 3004 and Zoom 

Present

Patrick Larin (Schedule II)

Ian McIntosh (OPSEU)

Tiffany Moore (Human Resources)

Jeff Alexander (OPSEU)

Guests

Brenda Huska

1. Approval of Agenda .

Moved: Patrick / Seconded: Ian / Approved

2. Acceptance of Minutes (19 February 2025)

Moved: Patrick / Seconded: Ian / Approved

3. Recognition of notes (23 April 2025)

Did not have quorum for this meeting. 

4. Outstanding Business

1. Violence in the Workplace Policy: No updates, presentation being finalized. Risk assessment for supervisors will be added

2. Committee Membership (New member search): New member Saziya is new designate for COPE and Andrea McCall is alternate. Outreach was sent out to areas without input on the committee, Jiaqi Li from BSC was nominated and the committee is pleased to accept the nomination for the next meeting. Emailing other areas (Kine/athletics and library for other members)

3. LUFA Office:Previously approved conducting an inspection of LUFA office space. Not completed yet. Action: Office inspected, no issues noted.

4. Certifications:  Brenda, Ian, Jeff finished Part 1, will look into Part 2.

5. Inspections

Multiple locations outstanding. 

ATAC (completed by Saziya and Brenda) - Heating/cooling issues, power bars used incorrectly, space heaters, fridges plugged in incorrectly. 

Avila (completed by Ian and Tiffany) - Extension cords in use, blocked exit, tripping hazards.

Will continue to book a day for all committee members to join and complete inspections. 

6. Injury and Accident Reports

None

7. New Business/Open Discussion

1. Terms of Reference Review: Terms of reference will be reviewed for additional time since new members have joined so they can make suggestions. 

2. New Incident Report Form: The old pdf form will no longer be used.   An online google form will be used to collect all incident/accident/witness/supervisor reports.  This will ensure prompt delivery of reports to HR for follow up and processing.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdy-t8hteVo9q5B3pS2UISMryohmZ-oHyqxBb4K77pQX-Xz0Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

3. Service Animal Policy: No update (deferred)

4. Ergonomics Program: No update (deferred)

8. Next meeting: 13 August 2025 10am in ATAC 3004 and zoom.

9. Meeting adjourned: 10:38am

Notes - Quorum Not Met

April 9th, 2025.

Start 10:00 am

Zoom 

Present

Patrick Larin (Schedule II)

Ian McIntosh (OPSEU)

Tiffany Moore (Human Resources)

Guests

Brenda Huska

1. Outstanding Business

1. Violence in the Workplace Policy: Education piece is being finalized and there will be an information session hopefully next month

2. Committee Membership: Looking to add new members (8-10) from locations not currently represented (athletics, PACI, Bora Laskin, CASES, Ryan Building). Looking for workers over management. Will help get quorum and with completing inspections.

3. LUFA Office: Tiffany & Brenda had a look unofficially and did not note any issues. 

2. Inspections

Tiffany will reach out directly to committee members to plan inspections. Planning day in June to complete inspections.

Outstanding: 

ATAC

Avila

Balmoral Street Centre

1294 Balmoral

Due in April

CASES

Greenhouse

Library

3. Injury and Accident Reports

One injury: SN1015, while proctoring exam faculty member missed a stair and fell. No medical care required. No issues noted with the condition of the stairs and no action needed.

4. New Business/Open Discussion

1. Terms of Reference Review: Still need to update terms of reference and present draft for next meeting. New members will be added. 

2. Service Animal Policy: Tiffany updated committee that a service animal policy is being developed.  Comments came back and there is major changes required. Will be looking to implement it in a different manner.

3. Ergonomics Program: Checklist created for worker set up, which will allow workers to complete and assess the set up first. Changes required and the assessment will go through department and then if issues persist they can request an assessment through health and safety. Units are responsible for purchasing items for their staff.

4. Certifications: Tiffany will follow up with Roshni about approval to have Ian and Brenda complete certification training.

5. Next meeting: 11 June 2025 10am in ATAC 3004 and zoom.

Present: Steve Girvin, Jeff Alexander, Steve Elsey, Heather Spivak, Frank Sgambelluri, Brenda Huska, Mike Nezvesky

Started 1:33 PM

Agenda approved

Minutes approved

Injuries - for injuries to report

None

Old business

1. EPID presentation slide deck/video outstanding

2. Drivers training update. TSC will be doing training soon in June Security, done except for a couple of outstanding personnel. One item mentioned is the requirement for protective, netting or barrier in mechanical vehicles.

1. Update July 17, 2025: TSC reached out to the instructor at the end of June, but TSC contact is on vacation. Time TBD. Security will join in for their outstanding personnel when it is scheduled. New vehicles coming from contract with Enterprise will have a divider between seats and cargo. They should arrive within the next couple weeks.

3. Terms of reference was reviewed by all members and any comments made, but most indicated no changes or comments. Health and Safety will finalize and distribute/post.

4. Parking lot conditions - Recommendation was sent to the university and reply is expected prior to July 2.  Contractor has indicated that a lot of cut and patches will be required.  Priority list was included in the recommendation.

1. Update July 17, 2025: Lot 13 & 14 roadway, fieldhouse, and balmoral entrance are completed. There is funding to continue patchwork in priority areas where it is appropriate. Priority will be discussed. 

Inspections - August 7th at 1:30pm meet in the HR, anyone available so inspections can be assigned and completed.

Next inspections: Prettie, Avila, Outside areas

Library and CB were completed 

Typical issues reported, storage of materials in mechanical/housekeeping rooms, water in mechanical rooms, some fallen insulation in CB.

New Business

5. Plant Update

Braun - all moves for freezers/fridges completed.  Building closed July 2 - Aug 15.  Keys will be changed on long weekend, swipe cards suspended, hoarding in halls between BB and SN and tunnel to be installed before July 1.

• Update July 17, 2025: Hoarding not installed between SN and BB since doors in between can be locked with deadbolt. Work proceeding. 

UC roofing over upper lecture theatre to be starting soon.

Rural Resource Centre - new equipment has been ordered and Health Unit has approved opening the building with a boil water advisory.  Signs have been posted in the washrooms.

• Update Jul 17, 2025: New equipment in place, but still under boil water order and inspector has not given all clear yet.

Library Lighting - LED swap being done, half of the 4th floor is complete, looking to finish by end of summer.

Vet School - Tender has closed for project A, lower floor of CASES & 5th floor ATAC renovations.

Gichi Kensaasiwin - Currently looking at a list of possible locations and will be selecting site soon.

Lakeside Steps - Tender has been awarded and work will begin soon.

6. Residence Update

Next roofing job is starting and has a hard stop of Aug 22. New vendor selected for this and will be starting next week.

Previous contractor drove over light post in Av parking lot, in process for repair/reimbursement.

Update: Posts are on site and waiting to be installed, likely next week

Evacuee support - one group caused disturbance on one evening.  Additional measures put in place to support their safe stay.  All other groups accommodated on campus were without safety issues.

Update: All groups moving forward will be providing their own security. Currently no groups on campus, but on standby. Some have come since the previous group and there were no issues.

Furnace project awarded, currently working on ordering. Will be meeting next week or schedule. 

7. Round Table Items

Mike: Residence maintenance building has paint to dispose of. Jaime is looking into some options and will reach out. Mike will talk to Arno about ensuring contractors don’t leave partial pails of paint when they leave.

Frank: Grounds using fire hydrant to clean bird poo. Steve confirmed that is acceptable as they were aware and went through work order. 

Frank: Outside of Wolf Den had exercise class in front of the door using yoga mats. Steve indicated that they cannot set up equipment in front of a fire door, so yoga mats are unacceptable. Brenda will email Laura and Jaimie-Lynn about this. 

Steve: Behind Ryan Building the curb for the sidewalk has been poured. Will do sidewalk soon. Paving will require more time as it has turned into a large area. 

Present: Steve Girvin, Jeff Alexander, Steve Elsey, Frank Sgambelluri, Brenda Huska, Mike Nezvesky, Tina Flacigno 

Started 1:35 PM

Agenda approved

Minutes approved

Injuries - for injuries to report

Wasp sting in shipping and receiving, no lost time

Old business

1. EPID presentation slide deck/video outstanding

2. Drivers training update. TSC will be doing training soon in June Security, done except for a couple of outstanding personnel. One item mentioned is the requirement for protective, netting or barrier in mechanical vehicles.

1. Update July 17, 2025: TSC reached out to the instructor at the end of June, but TSC contact is on vacation. Time TBD. Security will join in for their outstanding personnel when it is scheduled. New vehicles coming from contract with Enterprise will have a divider between seats and cargo. They should arrive within the next couple weeks.

2. Update Aug 21 2025: Still outstanding, TSC manager is back in office, will be making arrangements.

3. Terms of reference was reviewed by all members and any comments made, but most indicated no changes or comments. Health and Safety still needs to finalize and distribute/post.

4. Parking lot conditions - Recommendation was sent to the university and reply is expected prior to July 2.  Contractor has indicated that a lot of cut and patches will be required.  Priority list was included in the recommendation.

1. Update July 17, 2025: Lot 13 & 14 roadway, fieldhouse, and balmoral entrance are completed. There is funding to continue patchwork in priority areas where it is appropriate. Priority will be discussed. 

2. Update Aug 21, 2025: Pretty much complete, Steve Girvin will email Lorne regarding line painting.

Inspections - Another open day will be scheduled for individuals to join if they are available. 

Next inspections: Braun, Prettie, Outside areas (other than CB/UC area)

MVA, Pottery house, powerhouse, CB/UC outside areas, and NOSM all done recently. No major issues, work orders being entered for some items. 

New Business

5. Plant Update

Braun - all moves for freezers/fridges completed.  Building closed July 2 - Aug 15.  Keys will be changed on long weekend, swipe cards suspended, hoarding in halls between BB and SN and tunnel to be installed before July 1.

• Update July 17, 2025: Hoarding not installed between SN and BB since doors in between can be locked with deadbolt. Work proceeding. 

• Update Aug 21, 2025: Open and operating normally. Some areas outside still blocked off for minor work. Next week old transformer will be removed

UC roofing over upper lecture theatre to be starting soon.

Rural Resource Centre - new equipment has been ordered and Health Unit has approved opening the building with a boil water advisory.  Signs have been posted in the washrooms.

• Update Jul 17, 2025: New equipment in place, but still under boil water order and inspector has not given all clear yet.

• Update Aug 21, 2025: Still waiting on some equipment to arrive. 

Library Lighting - LED swap being done, half of the 4th floor is complete, looking to finish by end of summer. Currently about 90% complete.

Vet School - Tender has closed for project A, lower floor of CASES & 5th floor ATAC renovations.

Update Aug 21, 2025: Project A is in negotiations with contractors. Tender for project B could start next week. Will be working out how to have contractors cross the pedestrian path safely. Shouldn’t have too many interruptions for Bora Laskin, lieklye not an issue until spring/summer next year. Will be some noise in the meantime,

Gichi Kensaasiwin - Currently looking at a list of possible locations and will be selecting site soon.

Update Aug 21, 2025: Site has been selected, not yet public.

Lakeside Steps - Tender has been awarded and work will begin soon.

Update Aug 21, 2025: Work is occurring. 

6. Residence Update

Next roofing job is starting and has a hard stop of Aug 22. New vendor selected for this and will be starting next week.

Previous contractor drove over light post in Av parking lot, in process for repair/reimbursement.

Update: Posts are on site and waiting to be installed, likely next week

Evacuee support - one group caused disturbance on one evening.  Additional measures put in place to support their safe stay.  All other groups accommodated on campus were without safety issues.

Update: All groups moving forward will be providing their own security. Currently no groups on campus, but on standby. Some have come since the previous group and there were no issues.

Furnace project awarded, currently working on ordering. Will be meeting next week or schedule. 

7. Round Table Items

Mike N: Dirt bikes have been seen on the path near residence, doing jumps on hill. In future report immediately to security to handle. 

Mike N: Chains on paths and leading to parking lots, are they needed, people just walk over them. Is this a tripping hazard? Response: Chains are mainly to prevent vehicles from getting on paths, people are free to pass over if they wish.

Mike N: Avila courtyard is being used, large gap needs a step, work order has been put in, will need edge painted. 

Some hydraulic fluid or power steering fluid has been leaking from contractor vehicles. Contractors are asked to ensure vehicles are in good working order, likely employee personal vehicles. Steve will remind contractors.

Labs and Studios Minutes – July 19, 2025 AC 147 and zoom

Present:   B. Huska,  S. Girvin, M. Moore, S. Azarhazin, H. Staple, M. Sorokopud, T. Moore

TIME Commenced: 11:10 am hybrid by zoom

Agenda :  MOTION M.M. SECOND S.G. Carried. 

June 2025 Minutes: MOTION  M.M. SECOND H.S. Carried.

Injuries/Incidents

None

Inspections - 

Completed

• LUEL completed report outstanding M.Sorokopud

Outstanding

• Geology – J.Sylvestre

• Electrical engineering – M.Moore upcoming

• BAF/LUACF

• Biology

• ATRC

• CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

• KINESIOLOGY

Old Business

• J. Gao - Leaking nitrogen regulator on wall  in gas room in CASES building. Steve will look into this

• Update May 21, 2025 need to check on this

• Update June 18, 2025 Steve looking into this to see if resolved

• Resolved

• Nominations for secretary – no nominations were received.  Committee is OK with health and safety continuing to take minutes. The vacancy for the secretary will remain open as a standing item on every agenda. In case worker members feel differently in future.

New Business

• Emergency shower testing reminder – health and safety will create a recurring event in Google calendar that can be shared with everyone who has been tasked with testing the emergency showers.

• Laboratory decommissioning policy – additional comments to be received by health and safety no later than Friday, July 18 so the draft can go forward to the executive team. Background – the policy has been clarified, so it is more obvious that it includes when anyone in labs leaves. There are some responsibilities for ensuring any hazardous materials are appropriately cared for and documented. This includes when graduate students complete their studies, technical staff when leaving and anyone else.

• Management member – after a long service Francis Appoh has decided to move on from the committee. The committee thanks Francis for his service. We will need a new management member. If any members of the committee have any suggestions please forward them to Brenda.

• Lab safety training update – some changes will be coming with the university’s current emphasis on digitization. Luckily, this will lead to enhancements for the safety training tracking. Tiffany is unable to say what these changes will look like at this time and will likely require optimization of our mycourse link training site. She is hopeful that this will allow employees and supervisors to have easier access to training completion records.

Other Business

• PPE – bill 229 has changed some requirements regarding PPE. Employers now must ensure that PPE fits all workers and conduct risk assessments prior to issuing. This may not affect our PPE in labs as often it is prescribed by the manufacturer’s SDS.

• Braun shutdown – fridges and freezers are powered. We are still on track for a mid August reopening. Currently the building is controlled access, administered through security.

• Roadways and parking lots – members of the RPSS committee conducted inspections of the roadways and parking lots in May and made a recommendation to the university for repair and renewal. The the university has reviewed the recommendation and has begun work on roadway repair. Some parking lot repair may occur as well this season, but is likely not going to be scheduled before the end of summer.

• Veterinary school – tenders are closing for the first round of work (CASES labs) this week. An additional tender will be closing, which will include the animal housing with that building anticipated to have start construction in fall and opening September 2026.

Adjournment:  12:04

INSPECTIONS: July 23 at 10:30 meet in HR

NEXT REGULAR MEETING: August 20, 2025 time 11:00am 

Lakehead University

Joint Employee-Management Occupational Health & Safety Committee

Office and Classrooms

Minutes

Aug 13th, 2025.

Start 10:00 am

Hybrid ATAC 3004 and Zoom 

Present

Patrick Larin (Schedule II)

Andrea McCall (COPE)

Jiaqi Li (BSC)

Guests

Brenda Huska

1. Approval of Agenda .

Moved: Patrick / Seconded: Andrea / Approved

2. Acceptance of Minutes (11 June 2025)

Next meeting will approve

3. Outstanding Business

1. Committee Membership (New member search): New member Jiaqi Li from BSC is welcomed to the committee. Emailing other areas (Kine/athletics and library for other members)

4. Inspections

Inspection days of Aug 22 and Aug 28th are being booked so new members can complete an inspection. Will complete BSC and 1294 Balmoral.

5. Injury and Accident Reports

None

6. New Business/Open Discussion

1. Terms of Reference Review: Terms of reference will be reviewed for additional time since new members have joined so they can make suggestions. Will send link again. 

2. New Incident Report Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdy-t8hteVo9q5B3pS2UISMryohmZ-oHyqxBb4K77pQX-Xz0Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

3. Service Animal Policy: No update (deferred)

4. Ergonomics Program: No update (deferred)

5. Certifications: Part 2 still needs to be completed for Ian and Brenda, Andrea indicated she would be willing to get certified as well.

7. Next meeting: 8 October 2025 10am in ATAC 3004 and zoom.

8. Meeting adjourned: 10:42am

Present Steve Girvin, Jeff Alexander, Steve Elsey, Heather Spivak, Tina Falcigno, Frank Sgambelluri, Brenda Huska, Tiffany Moore

Started 1:03 PM

Agenda approved

Minutes approved

Injuries - for injuries to report

1. Residence - Caught back of ankle on moving table.  No medical aid, no lost time.

Old business

1. EPID presentation slide deck/video outstanding

2. Drivers training update. TSC will be doing training soon in June Security, done except for a couple of outstanding personnel. One item mentioned is the requirement for protective, netting or barrier in mechanical vehicles.

3. Terms of reference deferred to next meeting

4. Parking lot conditions - Recommendation was sent to the university and reply is expected prior to July 2.  Contractor has indicated that a lot of cut and patches will be required.  Priority list was included in the recommendation.

Inspections - July 9 meet in the HR, anyone available so inspections can be assigned and completed.

Tunnels, Apartments and ATAC were completed 

Typical issues reported, storage of materials in mechanical rooms, lights out, table in tunnels by LUSU (resolved).

New Business

5. Plant Update

Braun - all moves for freezers/fridges completed.  Building closed July 2 - Aug 15.  Keys will be changed on long weekend, swipe cards suspended, hoarding in halls between BB and SN and tunnel to be installed before July 1.

UC roofing over upper lecture theatre to be starting soon.

Rural Resource Centre - new equipment has been ordered and Health Unit has approved opening the building with a boil water advisory.  Signs have been posted in the washrooms.

6. Residence Update

Roof finished today and clean-up is starting.

Next roofing job is starting and has a hard stop of Aug 22.

Previous contractor drove over light post in Av parking lot, in process for repair/reimbursement.

Evacuee support - one group caused disturbance on one evening.  Additional measures put in place to support their safe stay.  All other groups accommodated on campus were without safety issues.

Labs and Studios Minutes –April 16 2025

AC 147 and zoom

Present:   M. Sorokopud, G. Oba, A. Diochon, T. Moore, B.Huska, J. Miller, J. Gao, S. Girvin, K. Bhatia

TIME Commenced: 11:09 am hybrid by zoom

Agenda :  MOTION A.D. SECOND T.M. Carried. 

March 2025 Minutes: MOTION  S.G. SECOND A.D.

Injuries/Incidents

None

Inspections - 

Fire Lab inspection completed by A. Diochon - Report in folder, waiting on response

March Inspections to be scheduled by committee members (send invite to H&S to accompany when available)

• LUEL - M. Sorokopud - Still in the process of scheduling

• Geology - J. Sylvestre - Will follow up

April Inspections:

• Visual Arts - G. Oba

• Civil Engineering - A. Diochon if available Tues April 22. If not J. Gao will do end of April

• Lot 5 Research Lab - M. Sorokopud Wed April 23 2pm

Old Business

• Mechanical Engineering - Exhaust fan and missing ceiling tiles

• Update 2025-03-19 - Work order has been issued to address, S. Girvin will check on status

• Update 2025-04-16 - Fan has arrived, install should begin next week

• EPID@Work presentation reminder

• Terms of reference - Complete final comments by Friday April 25, approval next meeting

New Business

• ESA Inspections took place for the Braun building with a number of items to be addressed. For equipment that require certification local contact: kevin.schiiler@intertek.com

• Bed in office space was found, reminder about keeping an eye out for this type of thing. If we suspect someone is having trouble with secure housing or domestic violence we are obligated to provide resources. Address work life balance with students and staff if needed.

• Plab for administrative oversight was approved by PHAC as a requirement of our continued biohazard permit. 

• Hazardous waste pickup is in the works, there is an audit from the MOE on waste streams. Hazardous waste is not involved currently.

Other Business

• J. Gao - Leaking nitrogen regulator on wall  in gas room in CASES building. Steve will look into this

• S. Girvin - Electrical shutdown on Sat May 3, 2025. Received request by researcher to have students continue to work outside with generators. Was denied due to lack of fire system, water and electricity inside building which could be accessed, and emergency systems for security.

Adjournment:  11:49am

NEXT REGULAR MEETING: May 21, 2025 time 11:00am 

Lakehead University

Joint Employee-Management Occupational Health & Safety Committee

Office and Classrooms

Minutes
February 19th, 2025.
Start 10:04 am
Hybrid ATAC 3004 and Zoom
Present
Gabriel Oba (LUFA)
Patrick Larin (Schedule II)
Sue Viitala (Schedule II)
Ian McIntosh (OPSEU)
Tiffany Moore (Human Resources)
Guests
Jeff Alexander
Brenda Huska
1. Introduction of new members and guests
Introduced Jeff Alexander as alternate member for Ian McIntosh
Introduced Brenda Huska as guest, will be added to membership in coming meetings
2. Approval of Agenda
Patrick added snow clearing to New Business/Open Discussion.
Tiffany added certifications to New Business/Open Discussion.
Moved: Ian / Seconded: Patrick / Approved with additions
3. Acceptance of Minutes (19 October 2024)
Typo in item 6a. Should say LUFA instead of LUSU.
Moved: Gabriel / Seconded: Patrick / Approved with correction
4. Recognition of notes (11 December 2024)
Did not have quorum for this meeting.
Notes were reviewed.
5. Outstanding Business
a. Violence in the Workplace Policy: Education piece is being finalized and there will be an
information session before 30 April 2025
b. Committee Membership (OPSEU): Resolved - Ian McIntosh has been added to
committee as OPSEU representation, with Jeff Alexander to be added as an alternate in
his absence.
c. LUFA Office: Previously approved conducting an inspection of LUFA office space. Not
completed yet.
Action: Tiffany will reach out to LUFA

6. Inspections
Document shared to committee members that contains the list of buildings to be inspected and
the month that they are to be inspected. Committee members are to sign up via this sheet to
complete the inspections. Gabriel suggested that one week a month is set aside for inspections
to be completed. Committee agreed on this method and decided on the third week of the
month. Tiffany and Brenda will send reminders the week prior.
7. Injury and Accident Reports
None
8. New Business/Open Discussion
a. Terms of Reference Review: Terms of reference will be updated and draft presented for
next meeting. New members will be added.
b. New Safety/Illness Related Website: New webpages related to injury reporting and
employee accommodations were presented to the committee. Pages are located HR ->
Health & Safety -> Thunder Bay -> Occupational Health.
c. Service Animal Policy: Tiffany updated committee that a service animal policy is being
developed. It is currently in the final draft stages and will be distributed to the
committees for review by the end of the month. This policy will require a quick
turnaround for review.
d. MOL Inspections: Committee was informed of MOL inspection that took place in the
pool room of the athletics facility. Inspection was due to an anonymous complaint
regarding chemical use around the pool, lack of PPE, and lack of training. MOL inspector
was satisfied with PPE provided, training, and SOPs related to use. No recommendations
made and report is posted on the health and safety bulletin board.
e. Ergonomics Program: Tiffany informed committee of the ergonomics program being
developed. Deadline for completion is in April.
f. Working for Workers Five: Tiffany informed committee that there is an update and the
act has received royal ascent. The act now specifies that it applies to remote work
performed in a private residence. This was originally framed to mainly apply to cyber
bullying and harassment for virtual work, but is currently worded so all items including
workplace hazards and inspections apply. Unsure how this will apply to MOL inspections,
anticipating that there will be amendments to provide more direction on this matter.
g. Snow Removal: Patrick asked for clarification about policies related to snow clearing at
exits. Indicated that there are exits that are not being cleared. These exits were
determined to not be labelled fire exits and do not exit to areas that provide the ability
to access a public thoroughfare or an exterior space protected from fire exposure from
the building during an emergency.
h. Certifications: Ian has volunteered to receive training and certification as well as
Brenda. Tiffany asked if any other committee members were interested in certification.
No other members were interested.

9. Next meeting: 9 April 2025 10am in ATAC 3004 and zoom.
10. Meeting adjourned at 10:56 am