Labs and Studios - October 2025

Date:

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - 9:30am

Labs and Studios Minutes – October 15, 2025 AC 147 and zoom

None that are related to the committee

Completed

Outstanding

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.
Management member search still ongoing, have talked to one individual who was not sure if they had interest in joining. Search ongoing.

Health and Safety policy has been sent upstairs and should be approved and released soon.
After hours lab/studio access was discussed. VA has had issues with cleaning that has led to discussions around access and how it is given. Discussion on what other dept are doing. Biology: Has a room schedule that BEST has access to. This has classes as well as any other use. After hours security comes and lets students in. They can list restrictions on times for each room. List shared with security of approved individuals. Amanada: Could be an issue accommodating students with work or other commitments. Could use an expectation agreement. Have “keep in touch” mandatory and keep the door open while in the space alone. Tiffany: Accommodations can be limited if there is undue hardship by providing, in this care the H&S impact. Could be limited in hazardous areas based on response ability of security. Development of a risk assessment tool may assist in making these decisions. One should be out hopefully prior to december.
Parking lot use issue: Car lab was testing the car in the athletics parking lot, but had put up their own pylons and blocked vehicles. Were given an area that they needed to stay within. Physical plant will provide a map of approved area and security will ensure this is being followed. Discussions with Kailash did occur.
Will do more calendar invites for inspections.

Fit tests are not currently being conducted by health and safety as Brenda receives training. In town Healthtec or Stantec may be options to use since SPI has stopped providing as well.
ECS Cares is picking up sharps/biomedical waste soon. Please contact if you have any that need disposed of.
Compressor in Pedram’s space in CASES was very loud. Physical plant members noticed while attending to other business in the area. People working in the space did not report the issue, but were actively avoiding the area when it would run. This occurred for 2 years. After investigating it was discovered that an outdoor compressor was used inside and it is currently being fixed.
Orillia training for students needs to be updated and is in process. - Still working on this.