The CSIT Building Occupational Health and Safety Committee Meeting Date: Wednesday Jun 12 2002 Time: 11:05-11:55 Venue: CSIT N335 present: Ian Barnes, James Fellows, Chris Gunn, Vicki Peterson, Bronwyn Schmidt, Peter Strazdins apologies: Michelle Clarke, Roy Schmid MINUTES: 1. Minutes of previous meeting. Confirmed. Apologies noted. 2. Matters Arising: 2.1 CSIT water quality - review of management of problem Peter reported the developments relayed from a recent phone call to Andrew Smith (F&S), which were that at some time around April, a 20m loop of Cu pipe was replaced by plastic pipe in the Tea Room area, and that the pipe to the South Wing kitchen tap was also replaced by plastic. Tests were performed shortly after. A recent phone call to the plumber (Mark Thain) that the CSIT mains were now flushed only `a couple of times per week', as he was instructed that this was now sufficient. None of those present recalled being informed of this occurring at the time; indeed no-one seemed to have noticed the repairs being carried out during that period. The Committee expressed strong concern and disappointment over the lack of communication in the dealing of such an issue which affects CSIT occupants and the CS students day-to-day well-being and convenience. That is, that whoever has been ordering these changes (the OHS Unit?) has never made any active attempt to consult or discuss these with us, and that whoever has been carried out these changes (Facilities and Services?) has not informed us (CSIT OHS Committee, or apparently anyone in the DCS) when they occur. ACTION: Peter to take up this issue with the Head of the OHS Unit. Peter also mentioned that while our management strategy of daily tap flushing was working well in the staff areas, but not in the student areas (first floor). This was because the marking pen needed to record that the flushing had been done was removed after a short time, even when it was tied down. Various solutions to this were discussed, including testing the tap to see if flushing was really necessary, fitting a filter or a bypass on the tap, or alternate schemes of recording when the tap had been flushed (which did not involve anything as likely to be removed as marker pens). A final scheme was simply to advise that the tap should be flushed *every* time before use for drinking, which was agreed to be the simplest solution for the time being. ACTION: Peter to modify the sign on the 1st floor tap to that effect. 2.2 CSIT pigeons Peter reported that no further pigeons had been reported, but after follow-up calls to Ian Lister (F&S) there was still no report or information available on what AAA had actually done when they treated CSIT. While this was not very satisfactory, the hazard no longer seems significant, so it was agreed no further action need be taken unless the problem redevelops. 2.3. CSIT Risk Assessments - Health and Safety document Peter reported that the document has been approved by DCS, and will be soon posted on the CS intranet. A hardcopy was given to Chris Gunn, for reference by his group that does not have access to this intranet 3. Review CSIT Hazard and Injury Reports (regular item) No new reports were entered. 4. OHS policy on Children in the Workplace - for discussion http://www.anu.edu.au/hr/ohs/policies/children.html The main point affecting CSIT staff, that staff bringing in children to CSIT should ensure the children are adequately supervised and do not enter hazardous areas, was noted. 5. Other Business. 5.1 CSIT mice Over the last 2 months, mice were reported in James and Chris' areas. There have been a few reports of others in 2nd floor CSIT over the same time, with 2 being caught in the South Wing. Possible actions including traps were discussed. It was decided that at the present sparse levels of sightings, however, no action is necessary 5.2 FEIT OSLO Bronwyn reported that Tane Graham is the OSLO Representative for FEIT. -------------------- Meeting concluded 11:55.