The CSIT Building Occupational Health and Safety Committee Meeting Date: Wednesday 28 April 2004 Time: 14:05-15:00 Venue: CSIT N335 present: Stephen Altree-Williams, James Fellows, Chris Gunn, Vicki Peterson, Bronwyn Schmidt, Peter Strazdins (chair) apologies: Ian Barnes MINUTES: 1. Noting of Apologies and Minutes of previous meeting (http://cs.anu.edu.au/ohs/minutes/Dec03). Apologies noted. Minutes confirmed. 2. Matters Arising: 2.1 New procedures for Hazard Reporting Peter reported that a copy of a recent Injury Report reached the DCS Office via email (from central OHS unit), and a also a copy of the Hazard Report submitted by Ian Barnes in February had also reached there. A copy of the Hazard report submitted by James Fellows had not reached the Office; it was felt this may have been lost due to the transitional arrangements at that time. The receipt of copies of the reports will continue to be monitored. 2.2 OSLO Workstation Checks Peter recapped the situation of last meeting, where most offices had been checked and and Antoinette had collated a list of requests for footstools et. Bronwyn reported that she had recently done workstation checks for newly arrived staff and PhD students. ACTION: Bronwyn to seek Antoinette's list and follow up on requesting funding. 2.3 Unprotected Power Outlets (James to report) James reported that the the issue of gaining permission from F&S / FEIT Business Office to install these was not resolved. As this issue in particular presents a hazard to children in the CSIT Building, a discussion ensued on forming a local policy to augment the University Policy for Children Within the Workplace, in which reasonable measures must be taken must be taken for the safety of children in University buildings. The Committee recommended that the local policy should consist of: * Children must be supervised by a CSIT staff member / graduate student at all times. (this is part of the University Policy). * Children must not be permitted to enter areas deemed hazardous in the CSIT Building. It is initially proposed that these include: The Resources Room, N323 (new library area) and TSG area * Other areas should be made as safe as reasonably possible. ' This includes covering unprotected power outlets in prominent areas, e.g. corridors. (arrangements with cleaners may need to be made). It also includes the removal of potentially hazardous junk from prominent areas. ACTION: Peter to seek approval for the HoD to consult with CSIT occupants for the local policy. After this, to seek a finalized policy to be endorsed by the HoD. 2.4 OHS Issues for Students Peter reported that a flyer (shown at the meeting) has been posted in 4th Year labs in February, advising them of potential risks and where to get further information. This was in lieu of speaking to them at an `induction lecture', since there seemed to be no clear opportunity to organize this. Peter also reported that the laminated poster such as those in the Resources Room proved too expensive to get approval form funding. Instead, the `Dont Let Your Posture Cost You' pamphlets were displayed in the labs. Stephen pointed out that there are poster versions of these available. ACTION: Stephen to send a dozen of these posters to DCS, for Peter to install in the appropriate labs. 2.5 Report on Annual Building Inspection, Dec 03 Peter presented the Report of the inspection made by James and himself last December. Since them F&S had sent in a person to check and tighten loose sprinkler collars. Peter also reported that the request to CSIT Building Management to correct hazards identified in the report had been largely unimplemented. The Committee felt that reasonable time had been given and that this situation is very unsatisfactory. ACTION: Peter to repeat the request, in stronger terms. 3. Review CSIT Hazard and Injury Reports Peter reported that a serious case of OOS, resulting in tendonitis in the right shoulder, had been submitted. The factors involved were stress arising form a very intense period of workload, and the use of (largely new) software that required intensive keyboard/mouse work. It was noted that the persons' workstation setup had been checked recently and had seemed satisfactory. The Committee discussed the issue of which hand to use a mouse with, and recent findings that the use of the left hand is preferable, due to the special keys found on the right hand side of the keyboard. Not only did this intensively the use of the right hand and arm, but also pushed the mouse further away, double raising the potential for injury. ACTION: Peter to send a bulletin to CSIT occupants this advise. 4. New Hazard reports (Peter to report) Excepting the one mentioned in item 2.1, none had been received by the DCS Office. ACTION: this report is to be discussed at the next meeting. 5. Other Business. 5.1 Flu vaccinations. Tom Gedeon requested the Committee discuss the issue of making Flu Vaccination shots more accessible to CSIT staff. A primary motivation is to reduce the lost productivity or spread of infection that can result if a staff member contracts flu. The Committee felt it is reasonable that the DCS reimburse any staff member choosing to receive such vaccinations. 5.2 Portable Fire Extinguishers. Bronwyn asked if one or two of these could be obtained for the Building, for use in places such as the Office or Tea Room. ACTION: Bronwyn to contact the CSIT Warden Hugh Fisher and F&S on this. 5.3 CSIRO Rep to the CSIT OHS Committee Peter noted that with the recent departure of Denise Hollingsworth, these was no longer such a person, and that in the past, CSIRO representation had been very valuable on common issues such as water quality. ACTION: Chris to seek an new representative. -- Meeting concluded 15:05.