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Minutes of the Free
Library Health & Safety Committee
May 21, 2002
Committee Members In Attendance: Joe
Perry, Allen Merry (for Michelle
Belluomini), Kevin Ivery, Carolyn Hale, Carol Boardman, Hal
Rosenberg, Rich
Somers, Catherine Popolow, Paul McGeever, Mitch Partovi,
Bill Fleming, Kathy
Black
Joe Perry reported that the new procedure
established at the last meeting for
reviewing and distributing minutes had worked well
and would continue.
Joe also reported that the group meeting
regarding computer issues in the
Library would not become a Labor Management Committee
or an RGI project after
all. This group will now be considered a Task Force, which
will be involved in
information gathering and procedural recommendations, but
it will not impact terms
and conditions of work for employees.
NW Regional - The issue
of indoor trash storage at this facility
has been
moved to the grievance process as no acceptable resolution
was reached at our
Committee.
Welsh Road - PECO has held
up completion of this project, partly due
to
weather conditions. They now know what materials are needed
and that a two day
shutdown of a 4000 volt line was required to complete the
job.
Guard Training - On May
7, the last session of the current round
of training
was completed. Rich Somers reported that the sessions also
served as regional
meetings for the guards. There are three or four vacancies
among the guard ranks but a
hiring freeze is in place at least until the new fiscal year
begins on July 1.
Central Library Issues
Cafeteria - Bill Fleming reported
that negotiations continue but no new vendor
has been contracted so far.
Police Patrols - The possibility
is being explored of having police officers
come over from 1801 Vine Street and wander the building when
they have down time
there, while waiting for a court appearance. Rich Somers
will look into this. Also, an
employee from Project HOME will be periodically coming into
the library to approach
homeless patrons and invite them to use services that are
now available to them at a
couple of different centers.
Bathroom Issues - An automatic
toilet in the men’s ground floor restroom
doesn’t always flush automatically and needs a manual button
installed. An electric
hand drying machine is also needed there, and in the 2nd floor
staff women’s restroom.
BSRs will be submitted. The 2nd floor men’s room
needs hot water restored. A BSR
will be submitted on that as well.
Children’s Story Hour - Some carpet
glue was used which led to complaints
about fumes and concern about a warning sign on the container.
Mitch Partovi thinks
the fumes actually came from the new carpet more than the
adhesive, which was used
in very tiny quantities and was not a danger to patrons or
staff. A window was opened
and a fan was installed. The Material Safety Data Sheet was
sent to Joe Perry and
Kathy Black, which did not raise any cause for alarm. In
the future, Buildings
Department should be called directly when there is a concern
or complaint, at the time
it happens.
Building Acquisition - A high
volume dry cleaner bid on the former Black &
Decker building but was unable to get zoning clearance. Negotiations
will be resumed
with the Library for purchase of this building.
Dennis Taylor has retired from
the Library and so will no longer be a
committee member. Abbas Shahrokh has been out on medical
leave for several
months. Committee members expressed concern for his health,
and Joe will send a get
well card from the committee, through Mitch Partovi.
Literature Department lights - Allen
inquired about their wattage, as they
seem much brighter. Mitch reported they are brighter, and
are a different kind of bulb
than other departments use. Some employees are experiencing
headaches. Further
investigation will be done to see how many employees are
experiencing headaches and
if there are other possible causes. There is nothing about
these lights that should lead
to such problems.
BSI - Paint chips are falling
from the ceiling. This ceiling was not
painted in
1991. There is concern about lead content. Chips will be
taken to Mitch for analysis.
Skyline Room - is almost completed.
Original tile has been restored.
East Side Elevator - The doors
are closing too quickly. Mitch will check
on
this. He suspects sensors need adjusting.
The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled
for 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July
23, 2002, in the Directors’ Dining Room. |
