The CSIT Building Occupational Health and Safety Committee Meeting

Date:  Friday Jun 20, 2003
Time:  11:05-11:30
Venue: CSIT N335 

present:
        Antoinette Bosman, Ian Barnes, James Fellows, Chris Gunn, 
        Vicki Peterson, Peter Strazdins
apologies:


MINUTES: 

1. Noting of Apologies and Minutes of previous meeting 
   (http://cs.anu.edu.au/ohs/minutes/Mar03) and Changes to the OHS Committee.

Apologies noted. Minutes confirmed. 

It was noted that Bronwyn Schmidt had resigned from the Committee, and
had reduced her OSLO commitment.  The Committee expressed a vote of
thanks to Bronwyn for her work on the Committee over the last 2 years. 

James Fellows and Antoinette Bosman were welcomed to the Committee. 
Antoinette has recently completed OSLO training and will now be the
area's chief OLSO representative as well. 


2. Matters Arising:

2.1	CSIT water quality - review of management of problem 

Peter reported the one outstanding issue, the installation of the
backflow valve in the pipe leading away from the tap in the Student
Lounge.  Peter met the plumbers brought in by F&S on April 16; as the
external tap no longer exists, the pipe was disconnected instead.  The
pipe geometry of the tap in the Student Lounge is no longer
unfavourable. 

Peter also reported that the tests arranged by F&S had been scheduled
for June.  Despite recent followup, there was no further news on these
tests. 

ACTION: Peter to pursue this till it the tests are done. 
	Provided the tests indicate the Student Lounge tap is clear
	of buildup, the notice next to the tap should be updated.

The maintenance of the water filter in the CSIT library was also brought
up.  Antoinette said that it was expected that eScience would look after
this.  However, the filter did not seem to be recently changed, and it
was noted that other third floor occupants also used the filter. 

ACTION: Peter to start maintaining the filter (beginning with an
immediate change). 


3. Review CSIT Hazard and Injury Reports (regular item)

None were entered in folder in the DCS Office.

However, Antoinette remarked that she believed that one such report
relating to occupational strain was sent to the OHS Unit, via the
on-line form (which the OHS Unit was now encouraging). 

However, the Committee noted that this now by-passes the local record
system, and that a mechanism was needed where the OHS Unit sent copies
back to the local areas.  The Committee noted that as the members of the
OHS unit invited to this meeting had declined to participate, the issue
could not be further discussed at this time. 

ACTION: Peter to contact the OHS Unit on this matter. 
	The issue of occupational strains is likely to brought up again
	in the next meeting.


4. New Hazard reports

none had been reported to the Committee.


5. Other Business.

5.1. OSLO Workstation Checks.

The Committee affirmed a goal for these Checks to be carried out for all
CSIT staff in by the end of the year.  It was noted that a professional
OSLO officer could be called in to assist. 

ACTION: Antoinette to undertake doing this, with the assistance of
	Bronwyn, over the remainder of the year.

5.2 Unprotected Power Outlets.

James brought up a potential hazard that in many areas of the CSIT,
especially those with high public access, there are exposed power
outlets.  These could present a danger to children in particular,
especially as these were often left on (by cleaners?).  The issue was
discussed, with the possible solution of installing plastic plug covers. 
It was noted that the cleaners might have to be asked to replace these
if installed. 

ACTION: James to purchase a number of covers, and make a trial 
  	installation in places thought appropriate.

5.3 CSIT Air Quality

This was brought up by Ian and James, with the air conditioning systems
felt at recent times (often in specific places) to be performing
unsatisfactorily with respect to temperature and freshness.  The student
labs seemed to be worse in this respect.  It was noted that each room
has in fact in individual thermostat, but this is only accessible from
the central plant room. 

The issue of reporting was discussed; it was felt that some data would
be needed to convince technicians that a problem existed, especially in
light of recent experiences with them. 

ACTION: The Committee felt that occupants in areas of concern should be
	invited monitor and collect such data. Specifically, James indicated
	interest in monitoring temperature in the TSG area. 
	Chris to see if a temperature charter could be borrowed from the CSIRO.

			--------------------
Meeting concluded 11:45.