BUREAU OF LABORATORY SERVICES SAFETY COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF THE 2/27/2002 MEETING

In attendance: Jack Gallagher; Bob Eppinger; Jim Coyle; Brian Serbin; Cindy Rettig; Gloria Pullins; Xavier Moozhikkattu; Adam Eyring; Mike Intenzo; Lorenzo Lucia; Richard Herbert; Andrew Warthen; Philip Bobb-Semple, Bob Drumwright

Old Business

1. The minutes of the 1/16/2001 meeting were accepted as written.
2. The two wellness and two yoga classes are ongoing and well attended. Bob E. will find out if there are any other classes available through Harold Richardson at the Safety Office. Brian S. will investigate the prospect of a Health Fair visit to the CLF.
3. A portion of the Security System upgrade has now been installed. The electronic keys, (aka "key-bobs"), allow employees entry to the building. Jim Coyle stated that there are different times programmed for each of the key-bobs. Cameras and intercom equipment is planned for the near future. New locks have been installed and new keys have been distributed to those that are required to have different levels of access. The magnetic lock on the cafeteria door is to be replaced; however, Jim C. related a lack of responsiveness from the ADT customer service. The key-bobs for both the CLF and SE activate the sensor located at the door. The same company, HID, is the supplier for the key-bobs to the CLF and the SE plant. Jim C. will ask Al Airone if the number on Jack G's SE key-bob can be accepted in our system. The Department is currently hiring a consultant to review and possibly coordinate security. Jack G. commented that a large pack of key-bobs would have to be carried by those that need to visit various department sites due to all the different systems.
4. Bob E. has worked on the PPE signage and will bring examples to the next meeting. The signs will be more focused and read, " Safety glasses and lab coats required in laboratory areas". Some signs in other areas will include the requirement for safety shoes.
5. Xavier reported the blood drive held on 2/15/2002 was very successful. The next drive will be sometime in April.
6. Brian S. reported the outdoor bench and picnic tables that arrived 6 weeks ago need to be assembled and installed by a crew from building maintenance. A work order had been sent out over a month ago but there has been no reply.

New Business

1. The general safety duties,

1. A meeting of the ERT will be scheduled in the near future. Bob D. will provide some refresher training videotapes.
2. The safety storeroom has been organized. There are surpluses of tyvek coveralls in the storeroom and in the shed. Anyone that needs supplies should see Xavier M. or Brian S.
3. Inspectors from MEL need the use of an air monitor. Xavier M. will coordinate this with, (Frank at Flow Control), at the Fox street instrument shop.
4. Xavier M. has a list, which he forwarded to Mike Agustyn, requesting CPR/First Aid training. There are currently 18 employees signed up on the list, this should require two or three classes.

2. Members of the Phila. Fire Dept Hazmat Unit inspected the CLF on 2/25/2002. The inspection was coordinated through Bob D. of the safety office. Generally the overall report from them was good. The result of the inspection found

1. The fire extinguishers are good (with some problems),
2. storage areas are adequate, and
3. improperly stored propane and acetylene cylinders were found in the basement.
4. They requested an inventory of the solvents and chemicals present in the CLF both in quality and quantity. The inventory list needs to be forwarded to them and the solvents list needs to be placed on the doors where they are kept.
5. There should be no overhead storage that reaches the ceiling, a minimum of two feet is required. Additionally 30 inches clearance should be around the electrical boxes.
6. The MSDS box needs to be moved to the main entrance, and
7. the basement area of the east fire tower needs to be cleaned out.
8. An inventory of the fire extinguishers will be taken after the meeting. This list will be forwarded to Ginny Johnson and the Fire Department. Some of the extinguishers were found to be improperly charged and poor replacements of incorrect size. Two of them in the shed were missed in the annual inspection/servicing.

3. Cindy R. reported that the Organics Lab. was late in reporting their January Monthly Lab Safety Audit. (As noted in the last meeting minutes), Cindy R. is the official recipient of the Monthly Lab Safety Checklists. Bob D. asked for a copy of the Lab Audit Checklists.
4. Brian S. stated a problem in room 158 where an electrical chord is laying across the floor plugged into an outlet from one wall to an oven on the opposite side. Several suggestions were made with the best one being that the electrical outlet should be moved to the proper wall where the equipment is located.
5. Xavier M. reported a problem with a hose located in the basement that is across a fire exit. This will be in part of a report from Bob E. to Geoff B. concerning the inspection in NB#2.
6. Mike I. suggested employees should put some thought in where items are placed and stored. The likelihood of unnecessary back strain could be avoided if this suggestion were followed.
7. Mike I. also suggested that all first floor employees carry TickTacs in their pockets as an audible alert to avoid employee/employee collisions. Reasoning; the carpeting quiets the noise of those approaching and the wall units hide them as well, especially at corners and intersections.

NEXT MEETING 4/10/2002, 9:00 am @ BLS in Conference Room "A"