Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Minutes - BC Regional Union Safety & Health meeting

Attending:

• Bob Jackson
• Monique Bakker
• Mel Dureen
• Jason Komaromi
• Wayne Little
• Floyd Knelson
• Chuck Leach
• Bill Pleming
• Thomas Gallagher
• Steven Chesser
• Mandi Schubert
• Gail Jewsbury
• Sam Weiss
• Kelly Megasi
• Joy Hennen (Chair)
• James Little (Staff H&S Rep)

Previous minutes accepted as reviewed. Bob Jackson, Jason Komaromi M/S.

1. Conference Call EtiquetteAs per attachment to the agenda that James distributed prior to the meeting. Of note: remember to *6 to mute your end of the call and *6 again to speak. Reminder to identify yourself when you begin to speak.

2. Labour Code Updates

The Violence in the Workplace Regulation is expected to go to pre publication in December of 2007 and the Ergonomic Regulation is expected to be published in November of 2007.

Monique advises that she has ergonomic guides, including self-assessments, that she sent in with the intent to share with others and suggests a stand-alone union course on ergonomics in the future. It was also noted that Health Canada does training for ergonomic coaches that is extensive.

3. Communications

James advised that he with Joy and Patrick have developed a new Health and Safety page of the BC PSAC web site which will be visually different from the main page although it would seem to be missing the canary in the cage logo widely used and recognized by the Health and Safety Activists globally. The page will have articles of interest as well as links from each article to an interactive forum. The forum will be live and have threads of different topics, which can be viewed by anyone. In order to post though, there will be a requirement to register and have a log in and password code, which will be managed by the Vancouver PSAC office, most probably Patrick. The decisions on moderation will be made by James, Joy (as the H&S Rep to Council) and Patrick. As this is on the internet and accessible by all it will be recommended that registered users have a fictitious “site” name rather than actual names. There will also be a terms of use agreement that users will have to agree to. The discussion on ergonomics held previously in the meeting would be an ideal subject thread for the forum.

It will be essential that the forum is used to ensure its success. Prior to it’s official launch James will e-mail the Brush with the power point presentation of the new site and feedback from the Brush is welcome.

4. Audio Conference – Lancaster House

On November 28th 12:30-2:30 pm EST the PSAC office in Vancouver will have a line for this audio conference which will be focused on Benefits for Disabled Workers. There will be a debate following by a question/answer period. All are encouraged to attend at the Vancouver PSAC office for full participation, others can phone in and listen in but will be unable to ask questions. Discussions will be on WCB, Disability Insurance Plans and return to work policies as examples. More information can be obtained from their web site at www.lancasterhouse.com/conferences/audio/2007/disabled

5. Automated Emergency Defibrillators (AED)

Jason advised that he has had trouble getting the employer to agree to providing AEDs at his worksite that are necessary due to the response time from/to the nearest hospital and there is a need for more modernized first aid equipment. Much discussion on the pros and cons of having this equipment on site with the general consensus that they would be a positive asset for first aid attendants and in some cases, life saving. Some departments already have them or are in the process of getting them. For those who are having difficulty getting the employer to agree, St. Johns may be of assistance.

Again James advised that this would be a great topic for the new forum.

6. Laser Printer Study

This study information was posted on the BC PSAC site and as a follow up to that Joy advised that Health Canada had reviewed the study and determined that more study would be required on the particle emissions themselves before a determination could be made of safe or unsafe. In the meantime the recommendation was that the printers should not be placed at or near occupied workstations and that large volume printing jobs should be avoided unless in a well ventilated space.

This led to a discussion on Whimis training or lack of training. James asked that all of those who indicated they had sources where Whimis training is offered to send that information to him and it will be reviewed for posting.

7. Status of Implementation of Hazard Prevention Program Regulation

Most participants advised that the Program was in various stages of being worked on in their respective departments. Usually the work has been initiated by the Policy Committees in place.

Next Meeting: Will be held in January of 2008, date to be arranged. James will arrange a light dinner for those meeting at the Vancouver Regional office.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:20 pm