Employee Safety Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004 @ Faculty House
Attending: George Aitken, Janet Bartlett, 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: Cheryl Brewer
Old Business:
- CPR course offering: one class has already happened, a second is scheduled for December 10.
- Sit Safe, etc. programs: Cosmo reported that a room is booked for November 17 and that 16 people had signed up. Adriana reported that the library wants a program for their staff. Cosmo commented that he felt that individual visits to employee work areas might be more effective than general workshops. Kris responded that Dr. May charges by the hour, so the cost would likely be prohibitive. Moreover, the workshops address additional concerns, such as lifting and snow shoveling.
- Wooden steps at 63 Park: Joe reported that the steps are still slippery and he has referred the problem to Tom Bona.
- Men's locker room doors: Joe reported that appropriate signage has been installed.
- Employee exposure to chemical hazards at sciences: a letter has been drafted to Ann Skinner and she and Joe are currently playing phone tag.
- Winter condition concerns: Kim contacted Bea and there will be an article in the Record as well as in Daily Messages spelling out the College's shoveling policy.
- Darkness on walkway to parking garage: a new light has been installed.
- Congestion on Lab Campus Drive Kim emailed Irene, as yet no response.
New Business:
Accident Reports submitted to the committee this month:
- A theatre employee suffered pain and numbness in hands while cold chiseling concrete blocks apart, possible aggravation of a pre-existing condition. Follow-up: pending.
- A B&G employee, while walking down stairs, tripped on the bottom stair which was dry and unobstructed. Follow-up: true accident.
- A Snack Bar attendant cut a finger while cutting mozzarella stick bags with a knife. Follow-up: newly sharpened knife, operator error.
- A Dining Services employee, while serving wine at a function, returned to the kitchen and slipped and fell on the floor. Follow-up: floor had just been washed and was wet, a true accident.
- A B&G employee tripped on the top stairs behind Towne Field House . Follow-up: more care recommended, nonetheless a true accident.
- A theatre employee slipped while descending the stairs from the Downstage light booth injuring knee on railing bracket. Follow-up: more care recommended, however the stairs are steep with shallow treads, hence a true accident.
Additional New Business:
- Kim reported that she had received a concern regarding cars parked too close to the crosswalks on Stetson Court. Joe responded that the Committee should compile a list of concerns which, like this one, are town-related, and present them to the town.
- Kim reported that employees at Vogt House wanted first aid kits, rubber gloves, etc. Joe responded that if they wanted to buy them, fine, but if the College supplied such equipment, it would raise numerous issues of expectations, training and possible liabilities. He stressed again that the College's policy is that any injury requiring more than a band-aid should be addressed by Security. He further added that general information regarding procedures in the event of a medical emergency should be a part of orientation for new employees.
- Wellness Fair
- Kris reported that attendance was somewhat over three hundred people, down from last year. She plans to conduct a survey regarding reactions to the Fair in hopes to increase attendance.
- Dennis reported that he felt that supervisors had neither adequately informed employees of the Fair nor encouraged them to attend.
- Various suggestions were tossed about to improve general attendance as well as to improve the Safety Committee's booth. It was agreed that next year the Committee would begin planning their booth earlier.
- Everyone agreed that Michelle did a superb job with the display.
Dining Services Safety Committee:
- There was no report from Jodi.
- Adriana reported that she and Joe had met with Dining Services regarding accident reports and that in the future, Jeannette Kopczynski would vet all the reports and work with the Dining Services Safety Committee.
Next meeting: Tuesday, Dec. 14, noon at the Faculty House.
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