Minutes of Employee Safety Committee Meeting on 1/31/03

Harvey Mudd College Employee Safety Committee
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Minutes from Meeting on January 31, 2003
In Attendance:

Annie Atiyeh (Physics - annie_atiyeh@hmc.edu)
Kimberly Rogers (Human Resources - kimberly_rogers@hmc.edu)
Lillian McCollum (Chemistry - lillian_mccollum@hmc.edu)
F. Sheldon Wettack (Dean of Faculty - sheldon_wettack@hmc.edu)
Elaine Guerra (Biology - elaine_guerra@hmc.edu)
Theresa Potter (Facilities and Maintenance - theresa_potter@hmc.edu)
Tony Pennington (EH&S Manager - tonyp@cuc.claremont.edu)
Mike Wheeler (Machine Shop - mike_wheeler@hmc.edu)
Ramona Campoy (Dining Services - platt_dining@hmc.edu)

Agenda Items:

1)  SAFETY TRAINING SESSIONS
    February 6, 2003 - Workplace Violence III at 10:30am.  This session
    is a continuation of Workplace Violence II, which Tony said was very
    well received. 

    February 6, 2003 - five combined Safety Training Sessions at 11:00am;
    this session is for staff only

    February 13, 2003 - five combined Safety Training Sessions at 11:00am;
    this session is for faculty only

    May 1, 2003 - Fire Extinguisher Safety at 1:30pm
 
    Annie distributed, to each HMC employee, an updated copy of his/her 
    safety training matrix (personnel sheet).
    

2)  FIRST AID AND CPR
    Full sessions will be held during June or July.  The sessions will
    include training for those people seeking initial certification.  
    Kimberly Rogers will do the scheduling and announcements.

    Ramona will take the responsibility for arranging First Aid and CPR
    recertification and training for Dining Services personnel.  Scheduling
    will be before the end of the academic year.  She has determined that 
    it is extremely difficult to scheduld such training during the summer 
    months because of vacation conflicts. 
  

3)  GREEN SHEET SAFETY TIPS
    Annie again requested that the members of the Employee Safety Committee
    submit safety tips for publication in the Green Sheet.  She has already
    submitted tips to the community concerning how to properly dispose of 
    computers and monitors.  Some safety tips submitted by Elaine may be used.
    

4)  HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL
    Theresa reported that a meeting was held, with several technical support 
    people from different departments, to formulate a policy for HMC  
    concerning the storage and disposal of hazardous wastes.  A new policy was 
    established by DeWayne Hurst, Administrative Services Manager in the CUC
    Physical Plant, and the Department Chairs. This new policy provides for 
    the pick-up of hazardous waste within each Department storage area.

    Theresa plans to meet periodically with Department Chairs to 
    discuss the implementation of these policies. 

    Chemistry Professor Hal Van Ryswyk, HMC Chemical Hygiene Officer, is
    available to give assistance to the HMC Comminity concerning the use,
    storage, and disposal of chemicals.
    
            
5)  INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE SAFETY
    According to Kimberly Rogers, the Human Resources Office must maintain
    tax records on all gifts that are given as incentives to attend safety
    sessions.  The Committee is very interested in promoting safety issues
    using these incentives.  Tony will investigate some "non-taxable"
    incentives that the Committee might consider. 


6)  AIR QUALITY REPORT

    Theresa commented that the company, Forensic Analytical, inspected the
    vent systems in the campus buildings in December, 2002.  The company's 
    report indicated that the two main issues to be considered are 
    particulate matter and air circulation.  Those interested in reading 
    the report should contact Theresa.

    The proposal for improvements, due this week, will be compiled by Tom
    Shaffer, HMC Plant Engineer.  These improvements will meet and exceed
    OSHA requirements 


7)  OPEN DISCUSSION

    A. Annie expressed concern about the cause of "particulate matter" on
       some of the laboratory equipment in the Physics Department.  Tony
       said that the problem might be electrical or involve ozone emissions.  

    B. Tony said that our insurance carrier will provide "defensive driving"
       training for employees who drive commercial vehicles.  This training
       does NOT include those drivers who transport more than 8 people. A 
       safety session will be scheduled soon.

    C. Lillian expressed concern about skateboard safety.  Students often
       store their skateboards in very hazardous positions in hallways and 
       outside lecture rooms.  The Committee would like to make students 
       more aware of skateboard safety issues.  Lillian will contact Guy 
       Gerbick, Assistant Dean of Residential Life in the Student Affairs
       Office.  


8) Next meeting will be: Friday, March 14, 2003 at 11:00am in 
   the Stauffer Lounge




A computer record and a hard copy of this report will be kept in 
Lillian McCollum's office (2310 Jacobs).
  
If you would like a hard copy, send your request to Annie Atiyeh 
at annie_atiyeh@hmc.edu