Labs and Studios
Present: S. Girvin, T. Alderson, J. Sylvestre, C. Surette, A. Diochon, E. Searle, T. Moore, M. Moore, J. Joncas
1.0 Agenda : Add 6.2 IRC, 4.2 Chem Eng Incident
2.0 Review of Minutes : Accepted
3.0 Inspection Report:
3.1 Chemistry
- damaged cord ends, electrical cords need relocating, unlabeled waste, food and drink in lab, unchained cylinders, electrical panel obstructed, unlabelled bottles, exit lights out, corroded fumehood ducts.
- One space had unsafe electrical setup and cluttered – Dean of SES involved independently of the committee. This space has had issues previously.
3.2 BAF - deferred
3.3 Civil Engineering – Incompatible chemical storage, missing ceiling panels
4.0 Injury Report : No injuries
4.1 Civil Engineering Structure Lab Incident
- After-hours work, door left open, cords running out of room, and equipment running while room unattended.
- One student intoxicated, also smoking in the hallway.
- Security fined the individual
- Dean of Engineering involved
4.2 Chemical Engineering Incident
- Natural gas smell reported in CB
- Evacuation started
- Investigation found graduate students decanting a large drum of sludge on a pallet into a pail resting on a rolling chair
- PPE was not adequate
- Sludge spilled, but no spill kit was available
- Drum pump was nearby but not used.
- Location of drum was authorized for storage only, not dispensing or manipulating.
- Chair of Civil Engineering involved in discussions.
- Issue will be raised with Biosafety Committee as well.
4.3 Chemistry Incident
- Graduate students required to attend lab during ice storm and university closure
- Dean of SES will discuss the matter with the supervisor.
4.4 Anthropology
- Near miss at Big Thunder Ski Hill (storage facility)
- Gate collapsed on worker upon opening
- No injuries sustained
- Reported to security
5.0 Old Business:
5.1 CB Sinks
5.1.1 LUEL sink installation in progress
5.2 ErPortal Training
- Two monthly training sessions so far
- More to follow
6.0 New Business:
6.1 Review Lab Safety Operating Procedures - Deferred
6.2 IRC
6.2.1 Graduate Student Association (GSA) raised issues with IRC members
6.2.1.1 None of the issues raised were submitted to Health & Safety or Security
6.2.2 Students required to work after hours
6.2.2.1 RESPONSE: Working after hours, students should use the Keep In Touch program with security, and only work on authorized after-hours experiments, following a discussion with their supervisor.
6.2.3 Students not offered first aid training
6.2.3.1 RESPONSE: Designated first aiders for work areas, Security are first aid responders after hours.
6.2.4 NOSM students have panic button, why not LU students
6.2.4.1 RESPONSE: Phone protocols are in place and are sufficient.
6.2.5 Claim told not to label biohazards, and not to wear PPE in public since it makes administration nervous.
6.2.5.1 RESPONSE: Materials are to be labelled
6.2.5.2 RESPONSE: PPE is to be removed before leaving lab.
6.2.6 The committee discussed issues regarding Graduate Students, and the unique pressures and hazards associated with the balance between supervisor requests, the need to graduate, the perceived lack of reporting support, and the need to work safer.
6.2.7 CUPE is also explaining concern reporting for non-GA work.
6.2.8 There has been an issue getting a complete list of Graduate Students from the Office of Graduate Studies. Health & Safety only has access to graduate students with a Graduate Assistantship.
6.2.9 COMMITTEE SUGGESTIONS
6.2.9.1 Contact Graduate Studies and all Deans to remind them that anyone working in research space needs training.
6.2.9.2 Request lists of students from Graduate Coordinators, regardless of Graduate Assistantship status
6.2.9.3 Ask CUPE and GSA to help fill in any gaps in lists from their membership
6.2.9.4 Contact Lakehead International to see if we can work together and ensure that International Graduate Students receive the training they need.
7.0 Other Business: None
8.0 Adjournment: 10:10 AM