The CSIT Building Occupational Health and Safety Committee Meeting Date: Tuesday Mar 12 2002 Time: 11:05-11:55 Venue: CSIT N335 present: Ian Barnes, Michelle Clarke, Chris Gunn, Daniel Killaley, Vicki Peterson, Bronwyn Schmidt, Peter Strazdins apologies: Denise Hollingworth MINUTES: 1. Minutes of previous meeting. Confirmed. Apologies noted. 2. Matters Arising: 2.1 CSIT Induction Procedures Bronwyn showed the New Staff Ckecklist, Staff Induction Manual and (DCS) OHS Manual that have now been completed. The Committee thanked her for this excellent work. 2.2 Injury Reporting issues - new RACLOs This item was covered in the Dec 2002 meeting; the CSIT OHS web page has been since updated accordingly. 2.3 CSIT water quality Peter gave a brief recap on the related events since last July (indeed it was noted that problems were evident well before this date). In early January, after a call to Roy Schmid (OHS Unit), the test results of 07/01 and 10/01 were faxed to DCS, indicating a level of Cu of ~ 2 times the recommended level in the DCS Library tap. Peter then reported the procedure for DCS that was set into place shortly afterwards: a laminated notice being posted near every drinking tap, requesting that the tap be locally flushed (and marked off as such) before use each day. Also a water filter was then installed in the Tea Room (thanks Antoinette Bosman). The notices also advised that wall urns and other taps not be used for drinking. A problem was noted with the first floor tap (student area), where the provided marker pens disappear very quickly. Michelle reported of rumoured plans to replace some of the CSIT pipes (at least on South Wing) with plastic; Andrew Smith (F&S) would the person to ask about this. Daniel reported that he expects very soon some new information on managing this problem to come from Roy Schid. ACTION: Peter to try tying the pen to the 1st floor tap to see if it lasts longer. Peter to check on the news from Michelle and Daniel. ACTION: Michelle to check with the OHS unit of ensuring that reports of tests get sent to CSIT as soon as they become available. 2.4 CSIT pigeons Peter reported that after initial reports of pigeons in the roof cavities in early December, (in 2nd & 3rd floors near centre of building), a request was put through to F&S to take appropriate action for their removal. Evidently, a contractor (AAA) treated the building in late December, but pigeons were again reported in early January. Although initially requested, no report of the treatment reached CSIT. Peter spoke to Ian Lister (F&S) twice in the last 2 months to followup the matter. It appears that the CSIT pigeons were an `overflow' from a very large roost in the ANUTech building, which has only been treated recently. Since then, evidence of pigeons in CSIT has dropped markedly. However, a followup treatment in CSIT is still planned. ACTION: Peter to check up on the progress of the followup, and obtain if possible clearer information on the treatment done. 2.5 Warden names on Emergency Procedures Posters Bronwyn reported that these are (for the moment at least) up to date. 2.5. CSIT Risk Assessments - discussion of a proposal The document Health and Safety Hazards in the DCS, first drafted by Chris Johnson, was circulated; the draft now contained the Committee's recommendations from the December meeting. These recommendations were revised. Two points required further discussion: * the responsibility of academics towards undergraduate students. This should only be interpreted as an `advisory responsibility', and that academics should only be required to advise students of the appropriate levels of computer usage in order to complete assignments. * a section Overwork and Associated Issues be added. This should contain words to the effect that: a) it is the supervisors' responsibility to ensure that staff under their supervision have reasonable workload levels, and that staff also have the opportunity to control the quality of their work. b) that all Departmental members have the opportunity to participate in decisions in issues affecting current and future workloads, and that they have the responsibility to strongly consider the impact on workloads in any decisions they may make. ACTION: Peter and Ian to refine the wording of the Overwork section. That the document with the Committee's recommendations then be brought back to the HoD for further development. ACTION: Peter to also check the student laboratories so that signs advising on the prevention on OOS are still there. 3. Review CSIT Hazard and Injury Reports (regular item) No new reports were entered. However, Ian related an incident occurring only yesterday where a student collapsed during an office consultation (the student seemed to recover soon after, and after being given water and a place to rest, was escorted to his next destination). Michelle advised that such an incident (involving visitors or undergraduates) could be reported. ACTION: Peter (with Ian) to formally report the incident. 4. New Hazard reports No new reports had been received. 5. Other Business. 5.1 Committee Meeting times As Tuesday was not a convenient day for all members, the Committee discussed alternatives. ACTION: next meeting to be held Weds June 12. -------------------- Meeting concluded 13:15.