Retail and Physical Support Service Minutes - June 18, 2015

Date: 
Thursday, June 18, 2015 - 9:15am
Location: 
Avila- Physical Plant meeting room

Present:
Ursula MacDonald, Steve Girvin, Matt Serino, Rob McCluskey, Stan Nemec, Brian Cox

Regrets:
Brenda Rojik, Hugh Briggs, Barb Figus

Special guest:
Shanon Arnold, Physical Plant

Minutes: 

OLD Business:

A) Ursula also requested that Physical Plant have a look at a sidewalk which leads from UC/CB side door to Lot 5. There is a section of the sidewalk by the canon that floods each spring/fall. Grounds places wooden planks in the area as pedestrians are unable to cross due to water and ice. The sidewalk has been like this for many years and it really should be fixed.

B) The Ryan building stairway, closest to the library is very cold. Mostly the area from the 1st floor down. The housekeeping employee advised that once she washed the stairs ice formed on the stairs. She had to take a rag and physically wipe the stairs to prevent it from icing up. Alex will put a work order in to check on the heater and see what can be
done about this problem.

  • Dec.18, 2014 -Ursula will check with housekeeping in January when the real cold weather returns

May 29, 2014 - since it is summer now and last winter was especially harsh, this concern will be revisited in the fall/winter. Should the same condition occur the only option will be to install a heater over the stairs?

Jan. 15, 2015 -Ursula spoke with housekeeping and they advised that it may not be the heater or lack of heat in that area but rather the fact that the doors (from the outside) don't close properly, especially if there is an accumulation of snow. Steve Gervin said that he will put a work order in to have the doors checked.

April 16, 2015 – Steve will check on the door

C) Continuation of events following the asbestos discussion at April 2015 JHSC meeting.
Shanon Arnold was invited to speak at May 21, 2015 meeting. Shanon is the lead in regards to the Asbestos Management Program at LU.
When a small fibrous material containing asbestos fibres was found in CB office, the material was cleaned up immediately. Air quality conducted showed no elevated levels of airborne asbestos.
On Feb.17, 2015 in an email to Hugh Briggs and Shanon Arnold the occupant of the office requested dust sampling in that same office. Asbestos fibres were detected in settled dust on top a light fixture and surface of a book shelve and metal cabinet. The surface of a desk behind computer monitor was found not to contain any asbestos fibres. On the recommendation of the consultant Type 2 clean up initiated. This also allowed Shanon Arnold (Physical Plant) and Jackie Elvish (True Grit consulting) to access the ceiling space above the office to ascertain; the condition of the ceiling, insulation and the spray on fire proofing. All were found in very good condition.
As a result Physical Plant has initiated the following;
True Grit is creating a safe work procedure for Caretakers who change a specific light fixtures in CB, UC and RB to address a potential concern with the settled dust on light fixtures
Hugh Briggs will ensure that all Caretakers have taken Asbestos awareness course; are familiar with Asbestos awareness program and know about the HMIS data base and when available will be fully trained on the new procedure as mentioned above.
During the month of April and May a faculty member who works in CB raised additional concerns in regards to Asbestos in the Centennial Building. The faculty undertook an audit of the ceiling condition on his own. He submitted a report of identifying "hairy bits" which he felt could be asbestos pieces visible through the brown slat ceiling. In consultation with True Grit and the Asbestos removal company the "hairy pieces" have been cleaned up using a HEPA filter under Type 1 clean-up operation. In addition the Asbestos removal company has undertaken a detailed audit of the slats and the ceiling condition in the CB. Based on these findings and the results of our annual asbestos audit Lakehead will be undertaking additional proactive steps in regards to Asbestos management at Lakehead University.
Lastly, the 2015 annual asbestos audit will begin soon with particular attention to be placed on the condition of the ceilings.

D) Ursula advised that the WHMIS program will be replaced by GHS. We are looking at purchasing on online training program for the training purposes. Ursula will speak more about this at the next meeting.

Injury Report;
There was one injury reported in this period May 21-June 19, 2015. Early in June Caretaker II injured right arm upper tendon while lifting as study carol on to a lift gate. The item was not heavy but awkward to lift and the employee seems to have suffered a strain at that time. The employee is now receiving physio therapy for the injured area.

Near Misses:
None reported this period.

New Business:

1. GHS – Globally Harmonized System (Classification and Labelling of Chemicals). GHS is a system that defines and classifies the hazards of chemical products, and communicates health and safety information on labels and safety data sheets. The goal is that the same set of rules for classifying hazards, and the same format and content for labels and safety data sheets (SDS vs MSDS) will be adopted and used around the world. One significant change is that the SDS will now have 16 sections vs 9 sections on current MSDS sheets. There are various other changes that will become clearer as different sections of the GHS are implemented in Canada.

Thus far in Canada the suppliers may being to use and follow the new requirements for labels and SDSs for hazardous products sold, distributed, or imported into Canada. A multi-year transition plan has bene announced. From now until May 31, 2017 suppliers (manufacturers and importers) can use WHMIS 1988 or WHMIS 2015 to classify and communicate the hazards of their products (suppliers must use one system or the other.)

Overall, the current roles and responsibilities for suppliers, employers and workers have not changed in WHMIS 2015. You can visit WHMIS 2015 for Workers at http://ww.ccohs.ca/products/courses/whmis_workers/.

Lakehead University will provide appropriate WHMIS training which will incorporate GHS changes when available. We have partnered with PSHSA (Public Health Services Safety Association) to develop appropriate training for all Ontario Universities.

2. Working at Height Training – The new Working at Heights Training Program Standard applies to all construction projects in Ontario regulated by the Regulations for Construction Projects. Effective April 01, 2015 workers on construction sites will need to complete a working at heights training program that has been approved by the Chief Prevention Office before they can work at heights. The training will be valid for three years from the date of completion. Workers who have already received training that meets the current requirements set out in section 26.2 of the Construction Regulation (213/91) will have two years (until April 1, 2017) to complete an approved working at heights training program.

Inspections Outstanding;

  • CB
  • Avila Centre (Brian Cox & Ursula)
  • Power House (Rob and Steve)
  • ATAC (Fred & Stan)
  • Lot 5 House (Mike & Ursula)
  • Library (Mike & Ursula)
  • Rural Resource Centre (Rob & Matt)

Meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, September 17, 2015 in Avila – Physical Plant meeting room at 9:00 a.m.