Safety Committee Meeting Minutes for May 18, 2004

Minutes of the MLS Safety Committee Meeting 

May 18, 2004 

Present:  Barbara Namminga, Frank Ray, Lloyd Lovely, Ric Rea, Karyn Miller, Judy Walden, Todd Olberding, Patrick Williams 

The meeting began at 2:35 pm at Belle Isle Library 

Notes by agenda Item: 

Safety and Security Readiness Assessment -  

Judy Walden requested this item be on the agenda but in a rush did not prepare.  She will bring this to the committee at its next meeting. 

Ad Hoc members Serving as Chair -  

There was a suggestion that we might want to consider allowing Ad Hoc members of the committee to serve as chair.  Much discussion followed and we decided not to make a recommendation at this time. Also, there was some confusion about who our actual Ad Hoc members are.  It was reported that Elizabeth Kessler's term expired and she did not want to stay on the committee.  Her replacement is in the process of being appointed.  Missing members were Denesa Yost and Deborah Montgomery. 

Injury Prone Libraries Meeting with Safety Committee -  

Karyn proposed that we consider having libraries with high injury rates attend a Safety Committee meeting.  There was much discussion of ways to try to raise consciousness and educate injury-prone libraries.  It was mentioned that not just libraries but all work sites should be included in any recommended action. Judy reminded the committee that it has been holding off posting safety rules at all locations until the approved equipment (ladders) mentioned in the rules had been purchased.  These have now been purchased and distributed so we can implement one consciousness-raising program already adopted.   Judy also suggested that a logical approach would be to hire a full-time Safety Officer to help with monitoring, prevention and training.  Discussion followed and finally ended with the committee deciding to recommend that representatives (preferably managers) from 2 libraries attend each Safety Committee meeting which would basically allow all full-service libraries to meet once per year with the committee.  The committee also agreed to recommend to the Executive Director that some forum be developed to investigate employee injuries, to provide preventive training, to investigate injury-prone work areas and to seek preventive actions. 

During the above discussion, Patrick reported that he would like Maintenance to do regular monitoring of life-safety equipment at libraries.  This would include possibly conducting fire drills including testing our monitoring service.  Patrick made a 2005 budget request for software to help track and manage these lifesafety checks.  He said that it is impossible to keep track of all of the equipment and systems without some sort of tracking program.  The committee asked Patrick to develop a proposal for a pilot program for our next meeting.  Patrick also suggested that Karen Bray begin attending Safety meetings to take minutes and provide other support since she will be more available to Maintenance in the future when Outreach moves to the new DN building.  This proposal was accepted enthusiastically by the group. 

Step Ladders Update -  

Frank reported that ladders were received and distributed.  One library has asked for a substitute, which will be accommodated.  Judy will implement the Safety Rules posters at all work units, which will include discussion or written memos explaining the use. 

Selection of new chair -  

The committee looked at the chair rotation and determined that Karyn Miller is next in line unless we add Todd Olberding into the lineup.  Todd agreed to be the chair for the coming year.  Dates and places of meetings were discussed and several set.  Todd will email the list to all.  We will request that the meeting dates and locations be placed on the Intranet and also the meeting minutes - Judy will do. 

The meeting ended at 4:00 pm at which time we conducted a safety inspection of the Belle Isle Library.  Priscilla Doss accompanied us on this inspection.  The Inspection ended at 4:30 pm. 

Our next meeting will be July 13, 2004 at 2:30 pm at the Maintenance facility.  Todd Olberding will send out agendas and chair the meeting.