Labs and Studios - May
bs and Studios Minutes – May 20, 2026 AC 147 and zoom
Present: B. Huska, A. White, M. Sorokopud, A. Diochon, S. Aghili, G. Oba, H. Staple, M. Moore, J. Gao
TIME Commenced: 11:03 am hybrid by zoom
Agenda : MOTION M.M. SECOND A.D. Carried.
April 2026 Minutes: No Changes, MOTION A.D. SECOND G.O.
Committee welcomes the new CUPE Member: Soroush Aghili - 3rd year PhD student in power electronics.
Injuries/Incidents
Injury in Fire Lab: Student was coming down ladder and slipped at bottom step. Contusion on leg. Noted thermal shield impaired vision while moving. Doing well, but is seeing a doctor to ensure proper healing and no further injury. Investigation needs to occur, but after water service has been restored to the area.
Near miss in residence relating to a desk hutch that was not secure falling over. No injuries, but memo will be sent around about ensuring desk attachments are secure and to put in work order if not. Committee is asked to check their area and spread the word. Wall anchoring for shelving was also brought up as a concern and will be included in the memo.
Inspections -
Completed
Geography - Multiple issues related to space not being well suited for a lab (one exit, no emergency lighting, no eyewash, but strong acid present, no phone, old samples, reagents that need proper labelling, inventory not up to date, lab signs missing) Discussing with department about moving testing.
Anthropology - Main issues related to clutter in space from faculty member that has retired. Working to get it resolved asap. Otherwise minor issues with first aid kits, eyewash having particulates despite testing weekly.
Powerhouse - Not too bad, signage needs updating, some clutter and organization issues
Student Health and Wellness - No issues with space other than minor mechanical items that were reported to physical plant (not health and safety related)
Outstanding
Fire Lab(on hold due to water outage)
Visual Arts (June requested)
Lot 5 Research Lab (Scheduled)
Physics (Scheduled)
Old Business
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. Will remain as a standing item until position is filled.
Pool safety review is being completed and should be sent to athletics shortly, have been waiting on protocol review.
Risk assessment tool will be sent to the committee for testing and review. This tool will be available on the website to help supervisors complete risk assessments for their personnel and areas. The tool itself is a google sheets document that contains a tab for examples of risk assessments. These examples are explained fully on a separate walkthrough document. The walkthrough document goes over the decisions made and steps fully. There is also a guidance document that gives an overview of what a risk assessment is and how it is completed. All three of these items are being sent to the committee so they may test out the tool, provide feedback on any of the elements, or provide examples that may be useful that are not covered in the current examples provided. Update March 18, will give more time for committee, may need reminder email. Update April 15, no additional feedback, committee has more time to test and provide feedback as office specific examples are to be added still. May 20, no updated
Free training for health and safety is available through WSPS has been extended to September. Can email Tiffany to be enrolled, some jHSC inspection training and investigation training for certified members may be good.
Hazardous waste pickup was completed. All items were able to be taken and H&S is currently investigating the potential for a contract with the service provider to have more regular pickups and possibly supply containers and training. Site visit scheduled for May to discuss issues. May 20 Update: Walkthrough occurred, some discussion of container program, frequency of pickups, and additional training for myself relating to regulations. Will be sending us a report.
New Business
Inspection software now available. Discussed open inspection templates or if instead specific items that need to be checked are asked and worker member has to check off each one for the area. Committee preferred open inspection template that allows them to note issues and does not require going through a list for each room. Demo given for the software, will be used for upcoming inspections.
Watermain break in CB courtyard has impacted water service to greenhouse, lot 5 research lab, and fire lab. Hose provided for greenhouse, not doing activities that require eyewash. Lot 5 research lab has closed labs other than car lab which has been provided a portable eyewash station so work can continue. Fire lab has ceased work until water service is restored. Other individuals still working in lot 5 space, but do not have bathrooms, have to go to CB.
Designated first aiders: Looking to update the first aiders for the various areas of campus. Reaching out to previous individuals, but will need additional people. Will send the link around to request first aid training for your area, please spread the word if anyone is interested.
Next month need to move the meeting due to training for myself. Will send around a doodle poll for other options in June.
Round Table
Soroush brought up concerns related to students not knowing what support is available to them and who to contact about concerns. Committee suggests that CUPE attempts to let them know about JHSC and that they serve the student’s concerns as well. Unsure how to inform students about CUPE though. Health and safety may be able to make posters targeting students specifically about reporting concerns and the work order system.
Soroush also brought up an electrical engineering space that is very cluttered and could be a health and safety risk for the users due to the tight space. CB1030 is the room of concern. Mike S and Brenda to reach out about inspecting the space.
Adjournment: 12:00pm