Labs and Studios - February
Labs and Studios Minutes –February 19 2025
AC 147 and zoom
Present: M. Sorokopud, G. Oba, M. Moore, A. Diochon, T. Moore, B.Huska
TIME Commenced: 2:32 PM hybrid by zoom
Agenda : MOTION G.O. SECOND M.M. Carried.
November 2024 Minutes : MOTION M.S. SECOND A.D. Carried
January 2025 Minutes: MOTION M.S. SECOND A.D.
Injuries/Incidents
None
Inspections -
Powerhouse - M.M. and H.F. - Eyewash caps missing. Propane stored indoors, was moved at time of inspection. One flammables cabinet was messy, recommended to go through cabinet and remove unneeded items to provide more space.
Biology (CASES) - M.S. and H.F. - Some eyewash station checks missing. Yellow signs need to be stuck on, was reported there were some issues with the tape they were using and they would not stay on.
Outstanding
Fire Lab
Old Business
Mechanical Engineering - Exhaust fan and missing ceiling tiles
Structures Lab - Issues with old items and equipment being left in space and causing clutter. Shared SOPs were reviewed.
New Business
New website for illness/injury shared with committee. https://www.lakeheadu.ca/faculty-and-staff/departments/services/hr/health-safety/tb/occupational-health/workplace-injury-or-sick-from-work-
New website for medical accommodations shared with committee. https://www.lakeheadu.ca/faculty-and-staff/departments/services/hr/health-safety/tb/occupational-health/medical-accommodations-employee-
Workplace Violence Prevention Program
Service Animal Policy being developed. Suggested committee members speak to colleagues at other institutions to see if there are any ideas of how we can handle service animals in laboratory environments.
Committee was informed of the MOL inspection that occurred the previous week after an anonymous complaint of unsafe chemical handling around the pool and lack of training and PPE. MOL was satisfied with the area, PPE provided, and training. No orders given, report is posted on health and safety bulletin board.
Committee was informed of an ergonomics program being developed. For laboratory spaces the program will most likely take the form of information about how to work in a more ergonomic manner.
A.D. asked about funding of ergonomic purchases in research labs, raising concerns that grant funding may not allow the purchase of those items.
Other Business
Committee agreed to have a week each month for inspections to take place.
A.D. raised concerns about lab garbages not being emptied as frequently and becoming overfilled. Directed to talk to Stephanie about this issue.
G.O. indicated that next week when classes resume he will not be able to join the meeting as he has teaching commitments during the meeting time. Suggested to send around a Doodle poll around to see if there is a better time. B.H. will send doodle poll to all committee members
The Committee thanks Heidi Forsyth for her work as she departs
The Committee welcomes Brenda Huska, HR Officer - Safety
Adjournment: 3:07 pm