SAFETY COMMITTE MEETING MINUTES

November 17, 2010

The RU Safety Steering Team meet Wednesday, November 17, 2010 in the Planning and Construction Conference Room in the Dave Armstrong Complex at 9am till 10 am.

Present: Addis Ainsley, Adrean Harris, Beth Johnson, Dianne Clark, April Hilton, Steve Harrison, John Crocker, and Larry Ashby

Absent: Larry Brown, Jeff Orzolek, Don Barnes, Eric Vest, and Todd Branscome

1. Assignments:

• Scribe: Addis Ainsley
• Time keeper: Adrean Harris

2. Introduction: Addis Ainsley discussed minutes from last meeting and agenda for current meeting

3. Check on previous meeting action items:

• Addis Ainsley will send out minutes, meeting notice, reminder, and agenda for next meeting. Complete
• Dianne Clark will send in a work request for the light in the chemical storage area in the basement of the Chemistry Department. Complete
• Addis Ainsley will evaluate the safety of the stairs behind the HR building. Complete
• Addis Ainsley will send out the most recent WC inspection to Dianne Clark and Larry Ashby in anticipation for the inspection on Aug 25th. Complete

4. FY2010 work related accident trends: It was noted that the Facilities department had 23 of the 34 work related injuries on campus for FY2011 (so far) and 19 of them were from Housekeeping. Three major injuries were identified and discussed. (Employee who fell off the back dock of the Armstrong building, broken arm at a Reslife function, and an accident where an employee was struck from behind with another vehicle.

5. Radford University- Snapshot Hazard Survey performed by Managed Care Innovations: The group discussed the six identified recommendations listed on the report from the 8/25/2010 inspection.

1. Develop a written respiratory protection program and provide fit-testing and medical evaluations for employees wearing respiratory protection.
2. Thoroughly inspect all hand tools and electrical equipment and replace or remove from service until repaired if damage is found.
3. Replace the eye shields or provide appropriate eye protection and replace and properly adjust works rests on all bench grinders.
4. Properly store and secure all compressed gas cylinders to prevent damage and injury.
5. Encourage the practice of labeling consumable food products that will be used in experiments “For Experimental Purposes Only” and discourage the practice of eating and drinking in laboratories.
6. Organize and enforce housekeeping standards in all work areas to remove trip hazards, strain hazards, and potential fire hazards.

6. Discussion about transportation of injured worker to hospital: The group discussed the response to the accident at the Armstrong building where an employee fell of the back dock striking his head. The employee got up and told other employees he didn't want any medical attention but eventually asked for someone to take him to the hospital. The group discussed what determines whether or not you call 911. A consensus was made in the group that any unconscious person, suspected neck injury or bleeding that has not stopped would require transportation by an ambulance to the hospital. Radford employees are not training in the transportation on injured persons and/or not equipped to deal with medical issues or traffic problems that may occur along the way to the Hospital. This will be communicated to employees that receive future safety training.

7. Visitor and Student related accidents: The group discussed the recent fire related accident in Dalton Hall. There were no injuries and minimal damage related to a gas leak fire on one of the deep fryers. The dinning hall employees response was excellent to the incident and helped to reduce the significance of the situation.

7. Action Items:

• Addis Ainsley will send out minutes, meeting notice, reminder, and agenda for next meeting.
• Dianne Clark will check on the completion of the work request for the lighting in the chemical storage area in the basement of the Chemistry Department.
• Addis Ainsley will bring a detailed list of accidents to the next meeting.
• Addis Ainsley will evaluate the new tread system on the stairs behind the HR building.
• Addis Ainsley will add a training component to the new hire safety training that will inform employees about procedures related to transportation an injured worker to the hospital.

8. Next Meeting: Will be February 16th at 9am till 10am in the Planning and Construction Conference Room in the Dave Armstrong Complex

a. Possible topic for discussion for our next meeting would be Worker's Comp Rules.

b. If you have a "topic for discussion" suggestion please don't hesitate to email ajainsley@radford.edu.