The CSIT Building Occupational Health and Safety Committee Meeting

Date:  Wednesday Dec 11 2002
Time:  11:05-11:55              
Venue: CSIT N335 

present:
        Ian Barnes, Chris Gunn, Doug Palmer, Roy Schmid, Peter Strazdins
apologies:
        Stephen Altree-Williams, Vicki Peterson, Bronwyn Schmidt.

MINUTES:

1. Noting of Apologies and Minutes of previous meeting 
   (http://cs.anu.edu.au/ohs/minutes/Sep02)

Apologies noted. Minutes confirmed. 

2. Matters Arising:

2.1	CSIT water quality - review of management of problem 

Peter reported the developments since the previous meeting.  A message
was sent to all@cs on Sep 24th requesting local tap flushing cease in
preparation for the test due on Oct 1st.  However, it seems that
students continued local tap flushing on the N115 tap.  The tests were
done on October the 1st, with the results being sent in a report by Roy
Schmid to Peter in late October.  The report essentially concluded that
CSIT is safe to drink. 

Peter then presented to the meeting the response to the report,
http://cs.anu.edu.au/ohs/bulletins/Oct02, which is to return to normal
usage of drinking taps and urns, although the continued use of the water
filters is still recommended. 

Both Peter and Roy were present when CSIRO met to consider its response
in early November.  Peter reported that the eventual outcome is to
install in-built filters in the main taps of the South Wing. 

The whole issue was reviewed briefly, with the factors of lowing of
acidity, replacement of the S303 Cu pipe with plastics, and increased
usage in several taps all accounting for the drop in levels observed
over the last year.  Roy pointed out that as the Cu pipes age, an oxide
coating will form which will inhibit Cu buildup in the water. 

Peter reported the outstanding issue in management: the installation of
a backflow valve for the tap in the Student Lounge, to prevent
backflow in the long run of pipe going from this tap to the garden area. 
Andy Smith from F&S was contacted and said the installation of the valve
was planned for early 2003. 

Once this occurs, there should be no (reasonable) concerns on the
water quality from that tap. 

ACTION: Peter to check on the installation of the valve.


5. Other Business.

Doug Palmer reported on various Fire Warden related issues:
	- a fire extinguisher will be soon installed in the VE lab.
	- the VESDA fire control system in the 2nd floor machine room was 
	  noted to be malfunctioning and will soon be replaced by F&S.
	- the CSIT fire extinguishers were recently inspected 
	  (after a long period without inspection).

			--------------------
Meeting concluded 11:25.