labs & studios - march 2023

date: 
thursday, march 23, 2023 - 3:45pm

present:  c. surette, j. sylvestre, c. hubbard, t. moore, g. oba, m. sorokopud, m. moore, a. diochon

time commenced: 2:02 pm by zoom

  1. agenda :  violence prevention program added under new business, j. sylvestre motion to accept amended agenda, c. surette second.  carried.

 

  1. january 25, 2023 minutes – j. sylvestre motion to accept, a. diochon second.  carried.

 

  1. incidents/accidents

    1. oxalyl chloride purchased in 2014 and unopened was found to have evolved gas and breached the container.  this chemical must be stored in the absence of water as it will produce toxic gases.  the container had not been stored appropriately.  following the incident, the reagent bottle was placed in a desiccator until it can be disposed of in the next chemical waste pick-up.  t. moore to ensure that oxalyl chloride is on the list of chemicals that have a defined expiry date, and will periodically check the chemical inventory for expiry dates in the system to prevent this from occurring again.

 

  1. inspections

 

  1. nrm was inspected.  substandard conditions noted were eyewash station checks not being completed, a water leak from one window onto the floor of a lab, and numerous extension cords used in a permanent manner.



  1. old business

 

5.1   gas policy update

policy has been forwarded for review by the executive team.

5.2 hazardous materials information sheet/lab signs update

the forms have been shared using google forms, and the data is being collected on google sheet, which can then be shared seamlessly with security services.  33 forms have been updated and new lab signs will be printed shortly.

5.3 erportal upgrade

a cheque req has been approved for the annual fees and upgrade, but the upgrade has yet to be scheduled.

 

  1. new business

    1. violence prevention program review

documents were shared with the text for two webpages to support this new program as well as an example reporting form.  no comments on the content were made, just an encouragement to have an awareness campaign once the program has gone live.

 

6.2 silica survey review

91 responses so far with 66 outstanding.  39 responses have indicated some level of use of silica and will be evaluated by the committee.

 

positive responses were reviewed by committee members to indicate which areas have the potential for exposure to airborne silica.  the next steps will be for a recommendation to perform air testing in high potential areas to confirm/exclude presence of a respiratory hazard from airborne silica.  outstanding responses will be forwarded to the appropriate dean if a response has not been received by the end of this week for follow-up.

 

  1. adjournment:  3:10 pm

  2. next meeting: tba  may 2023