In attendance: Bob Eppinger; Brian Serbin; Cindy Rettig; Gloria Pullins; Mike Intenzo; Xavier Moozhikkattu; Adam Eyring; Art Wilson; James Coyle; Obed Addo, Sandy Gray; Vinu Varughese; Kathy Black

Old Business

1. The minutes of the 4/2/2003 meeting were corrected for N.B.#6, the IOD provider is Ward North American Inc., and accepted.
2. Xavier M. reported there were no nominations to replace the chairman of the committee. Bob E. will remain the chairman for the next two years, and elections for secretary will be next year.
3. Jim C. reported the security system is working well with the exception of the loading dock doors. A magnet fell off one of the roll up doors, which was very easily fixed by the custodial staff. Another camera setup will be purchased for the back door for both Maureen and the CRU staff.
4. Bob. E stated that he has the PPE signs, a work order to install them will be placed.
5. Xavier M. reported that on August 15th the next blood drive would be at BLS.
6. Bob E. stated that his follow-up of the fire dept inspection has begun. Many of the problems have been addressed. There are a few items left remaining at the bottom of the east fire tower.
7. Bob E. stated he has not heard anything on the fire extinguisher safety training. The attendance/sign-up lists for the RTK training are still not in Bob E's possession.
8. Brian S. reported that the 16 rechargeable flashlight received will be distributed to various units. The emergency lights will be tested however a solution to the non-working fixtures and areas that have no emergency lighting has not been determined. Brian S. will follow-up on this with Geoff B.
9. Bob E. reported that the funding for CPR training is used up, however Harold Richardson can train in house. Xavier M. will check with Mike A. on what training is available.
10. Xavier M. reported that the annual hood validation would take place once the testing meter on ordered, arrives. Brian S. asked if the new exhaust grates located in the ceiling have velocity specifications and if they need to be tested as well.
11. Bob E. reported on ERT activity. PWD Safety or the union cannot find OSHA summaries. There is no new information on emergency responder training. SCBA training has yet to be scheduled by Jim D. and Ken B. The spring fire drill is scheduled for 6/5 @ 2pm.
12. Xavier M. has ten more people to schedule for baseline with six new employees being added. A discussion on the CRP test is ongoing, and Mike A. has the literature. This test may be done next year.
13. Cindy R. reported that the monthly safety audits have been coming in OK. Geoff B. looked over March and April audits. Adam has not received the last several months yet, but will get them and make a report at the next meeting. A discussion on the corrective action form dealt with where it was located; some wanted it on the audit form and one other to be a separate piece of paper.
14. Brian S. reported there are fire extinguishers located in the safety closet that require servicing. The same problematic company is still being used. If there are any extinguishers with unacceptable readings, found the Safety Committee chairman should be notified.
15. The BLS Safety Manual review was completed May 7th and was presented to Geoff Brock May 8th.
16. Bob E. reported the other PWD Safety Office Seminars have not been scheduled. There was some equipment ordered in March when Jill Galper visited, which has been installed. Bob E. will check with Lorraine J. on ordering more seminars, he will let Kathy B. know so she can attend as well.
17. Ken Bradley visited BLS in May and performed respirator fit testing for the employees in the Organics Lab. These respirators are available through the city depots. Bob E. of the Organics Lab currently performs the maintenance on these and the responsibility will be transferred to Adam E., which will order replacement cartridges.
18. Bob E. reported that no CSE training has been done but there might have been awareness training given to MEL and SRA staff. He will look into the status of the CSE training.
19. Kathy Black reported that the Radiation Safety position has been eliminated from the Health Dept. Bob E. stated Bill Roscioli is the BLS Radiation Safety Officer.

New Business

1. Brian S. tests the eyewash / safety shower in room 158, however this room is now a storeroom. Bob E., Xavier M., and Brian S. will look at this after the meeting, and arrange for removal of the eyewash and safety shower.
2. Brian S. will put a list together of ongoing unfinished items between the Safety Office and BLS. There was an offer from the union to contract Jerry Roseman to do the Annual Audit.
3. Obed A. reported there was a lot of clutter in the service corridor, 210. Adam E. noted the custodial carts also take up needed free access space, which is stated to be three feet wide.
4. Gloria P. asked for non-slip floor mats to be placed under the safety showers.
5. Kathy B. reported the smallpox vaccine program has slowed down, restrictions have been placed on it, and there is a lack of volunteers. There is a four-day window between an outbreak and inoculation.
6. The suspected SARS case in the Health Dept. was determined false, and there have been no outbreaks in Philadelphia.
7. There are West Nile Virus alerts out due to the high number of mosquitoes and the evidence of two dead crows found in P.A. one of which was found in the N.W. section of the city.
8. The new IOD provider seems to be working well, with new IOD cases being reported quickly. Kathy B. still has yet to receive monthly reports from them but they are responsive to queries. The new provider is paid a flat monthly rate, unlike Comp. Services, which were, paid more when the city paid out less.
9. The center lunchroom doors of have been found propped open at times. They must remain closed.
10. Mike I. and Kathy B. both commented on the McWane Company NY Times article / PBS Frontline documentary that detailed the serious health and safety problems within the company. They are gross violators of safety and environmental standards. They were compared to American Cast Iron Pipe, which operates safely and responsibly. An effort is underway by DC47 requesting the PWD commissioner to boycott products made by the McWane Company. More info is located at, www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/workplace/mcwane/.
11. Bob E. reported that due to the CRC the exercise contract would not be renewed.

NEXT MEETING 8/6/2003, 9:30 am @ BLS in Conference Room A

J. Brian Serbin
1500 East Hunting Park Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19124-4941
brian.serbin@phila.gov
Tel: 1-215-685-1434
Fax: 1-215-743-5594