Safety Committee Meeting

January 23, 2003

 

Those present were: Joe Badgley, Erik Bitterbaum, Bill Brown, Suzanne Dietz, Sheryl Elder, Mary Lott, Lennie Moore, Cathy Mutz, Christine Post, and Craig Rabatin. Absent were: Dave Cunningham, Bill Douglas, Gene Dulaney, Charlene McNulty, and Gary Waggoner.

Bill Brown opened the meeting. A brief update by President Bitterbaum mentioned the on-going process of completing and distributing the new Safety Procedure manuals. The floor was then open to review and correct the November Safety Committee meeting minutes. A correction was noted on the last page- Cathy Mutz attended a WVASPA meeting not a WASP meeting as recorded. This correction was accepted and a motion was made and seconded to accept the corrected minutes as they stood.

Discussion was held concerning the importance of item #4 from the Nov. minutes. Fire drills need to be implemented along with a procedure for notifying the community and other related parties (e.g. Fire Department) when a fire drill is scheduled to occur. Bill Brown stressed that this is a regulation for the K through 12 education system.

Cathy Mutz made mention of an urgency to get instruction from the Fire Marshall or other related authorities concerning the proper procedures to follow in assisting disabled students during an emergency situation (e.g. proper transportation of a wheelchair individual and use of the elevator). She has issued a memo requesting some type of professional assistance with this concern.

Bill Brown suggested that included in our monthly minutes would be a numbered list of on-going projects. The list will precede the conclusion paragraph of each month’s minutes.

Mary Lott discussed a list of concerns she had made note of. She first made mention of two areas that need to be corrected: Doors are being locked too early in the evenings causing problems (e.g. evening deliveries) and the need to check middle front door which seems to be locking after continuous use during the day.

Mary also addressed the need to provide better lighting (e.g. along cemetery walkway) or clean the light sources (e.g. front of main campus).

The issue of escorting students to their vehicles during the evening hours was addressed. This is a service that our campus security does provide but there is an area of weakness in informing our students of the availability of this service. It was stated that many adjunct faculty may not receive the same information that full time faculty receive (see list of on-going concerns).

Mary Lott addressed a previous incident at the college in which she felt the issue of insurance coverage took precedence over getting immediate medical care for an injured student. Erik Bitterbaum assured the committee that the college’s current policy was when someone was injured, we don’t debate – we react. There is a college policy addressing these insurance issues and Joe Badgley added that Jack Simpkin was well versed in this area.

Mary Lott mentioned the need to add to the current safety procedure policies the correct procedures for the night crew to follow. She also noted that the communication system within the night crew was very well organized but that the emergency numbers that are currently posted on the wall areas and phone directories need to be updated (see list of on-going concerns).

Christine Post inquired about the liability of the college when someone falls on ice in the parking lot areas. Erik Bitterbaum commented that the state feels the person should contact his/her own insurance in cases such as this. The college would not be considered liable unless the institution was found to have been neglectful (e.g. not clearing parking lot). However, even if the institution is not considered liable an incident report should be completed when an incident such as this occurs.

Cathy Mutz shared a copy of an emergency flip chart that is currently being used by WVU to be copied and reviewed at the committee’s next meeting. She will also share some information in the next meeting concerning the WVASPA meeting she attended last year.

On-going Projects
No. Description Coordinator Goal Date
1 Send email to all users two weeks after manuals have been distributed to see if any other areas are in need of a safety manual. Sheryl  
2 Implement practice semester fire drills.    
3 Establish professional guidance seminars for staff/faculty relating to emergency procedures to assist any disabled students or employees.    
4 Meet with nursing personnel to go over current emergency procedures. Charlene  
5 Get information on mailroom safety from Ron Kress Bill B  
6 Set up yearly or biyearly time to change batteries in handicap doors operators (e.g. during standard/daylight savings time changes).    
7 Evaluate the use, need, and cost of an emergency phone outside the main area of the building (e.g. direct phone to emergency service director).    
8 Establish person/procedure for daily checking the handicap doors (this responsibility would also require posting a sign instructing people to another accessible door if a door is not working properly.)    
9 Develop a form of communication to get information (e.g. security assistance for evening students) to our adjunct faculty. Erik will speak to Sandy Swisher concerning an adjunct information sheet. Erik  
10 Incorporate evening safety procedures (these procedures may differ from the current daytime procedures)    
11 Set up a time for the lights in front of the main campus to be cleaned.    
12 Review the need for better lighting along the cemetery area.    
13 Update current emergency telephone numbers. Request print shop make new signs and phone listings.    

In conclusion, Bill Brown stated that our next safety meeting would be held the first week of March.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Sheryl Elder