Employee Safety Committee Meeting

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2004 @ Faculty House

Attending: George Aitken, Cheryl Brewer, Bob Briggs, Kim Brown, Cosmo Catalano, Michael Chapman, Adriana Cozzolino, Judy Kocsis, Gary Lohnes, Kris Maloney, Pete Mazzacco, Michelle Migdal, Joe Moran, Norm Parker, Dennis Richard, Judi Willette

Absent: Janet Bartlett

Old Business:

• CPR course offering: final course was given Dec 6, 12 participants. Cheryl reported that some people in Jesup had asked for a list of people certified in CPR. She said that she had responded that that was not appropriate, that all medical emergencies should be addressed by a call to 911. Bob also reported that some participants in the CPR courses had asked if the names of those certified should be published. He said that he had responded in the negative, adding that certification was a personal matter and that in an emergency, people should call 911 rather than look for someone who knows CPR. Adriana stressed the fact that the CPR course offerings are a benefit offered by the college, that participation is voluntary and in no way a condition of employment.
• Sit Safe, etc. programs: Cosmo reported that the program had been given and that the response was positive. Although the number of participants barely made the minimum, it was suggested that the offering be an annual thing. Joe commented that previously there had been a fall and spring offering. Adrianna suggested that perhaps the sessions could focus on one or a group of departments in order to increase participation.
• Wooden steps at 63 Park: Joe reported that non-skid strips have been applied to the steps and that they will be repainted in the spring with non-skid paint.
• Employee exposure to chemical hazards at sciences: Joe reported that he had met with Anne Skinner and that she will contact faculty professors at their staff meeting and will meet with custodial staff. Joe and Anne are working on logistics of staff information. Joe also reported that the fact that this concern came from the Committee seemed to help get things rolling faster. (Go team!)
• Congestion on Lab Campus Drive: Kim emailed Irene, as yet no response.
• First aid kits: Although any department can buy whatever first aid kits it decides on, the Committee reaffirms that any injury requiring more than a band aid should be reported immediately and dealt with professionally. For the time being, therefore, the Committee is neither advocating nor recommending departmental purchasing of first aid kits.
• Stetson Court and Park Street parking: Joe, Adriana and Kim will meet in January to decide on how best to present the Committee¹s concerns to the town.

New Business:
Accident Reports submitted to the committee this month:

1. A B&G employee suffered a hurt back while lifting (with another employee) a dolly of tiles up some stairs. Follow-up: employee was cautioned to use correct lifting techniques, but deemed a true accident.
2. A Dining Services employee burned arm and pinky while removing a sheet pan from oven. The employee did not have a firm grip and instinctively supported the pan to keep it from falling. Follow-up: The employee was cautioned to use proper holders and to grasp firmly with both hands. General training will also follow.
3. A Dining Services employee suffered a cut pinky while reaching for a knife in a knife block. The adjacent knife appeared to have been inserted improperly exposing its blade. Jodi will check with Irwin to clarify whether the block needs replacement or if it was simply improper placement of the knife.
4. A Dining Services employee, while cleaning around a coffee maker which began to overflow, tried to stop the overflow and suffered a burned hand. Follow-up: the "brew" button had been hit twice, however the employee showed bad judgment trying to stop the overflow. Will be a safety topic for the next Dining Services Safety Committee.
5. A Dining Services baker, while taking pans out of bottom oven, suffered a strained back. Follow-up: recommendation was to take care using equipment. Joe and Adriana will meet with the bakers.

Additional New Business:

• Kim reported that there had been no new safety concern questionnaires submitted to her.

Dining Services Safety Committee:

• There was no report from Jodi.

Next meetings:

• Tuesday, January 18, noon, Faculty House
• Tuesday, February 15, noon, Faculty House
• Tuesday, April 19, noon, Faculty House
  Please note: The location of the March and May meetings have yet to be determined.

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