Sc Tech Meeting Minutes January 29, 2007 PAGE - 4 -
CBE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TECHNICIANS MEETING
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Sir Winston Churchill High School
Library
Present: Rebecca Michaels Forest Lawn
Shraddha Dholabhai J. G. Diefenbaker
Nasreen Muhammad Central Memorial
Hanna Svelka Sir Winston Churchill
Kathy Lepard Centennial
Dianne Shellborn William Aberhart
Theresa Michiel Crescent Heights
Mary Shelford Dr. E. P. Scarlett
Karen Williams Bowness
Marilyn McLachlan Juno Beach Academy
Marzena Curyk Western Canada
Tai Leung Lester B. Pearson, Ernest Manning
Regrets: Pat Kaiserseder Science Curriculum Specialist
Helen Li Queen Elizabeth
Leigh Edmonds James Fowler
Absent: Lynda Roberts Adult Academic – Chinook College, Viscount Bennett Centre
Dawn Martin Henry Wise Wood
Kathleen Grebneff National Sports School
Pat (Visser) Davey Lord Beaverbrook
Meeting was called to order at 1:10 PM.
CHAIRPERSON: Nasreen Muhammad
RECORDER: Karen Williams
1) MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING held on Tuesday, January 29, 2007 were accepted with the following change:
On page 2 second item heading should read June STAS Conference
2) CONSIDERATION OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented.
3) REBECCA:
a) PASCO Physics Newsletter - this monthly newsletter is sent out via email. Rebecca obtained permission to give the Tech email list to Lynne Oliver at Merlan so that this informative newsletter could be forwarded to all CBE Science Techs. There will be a PASCO workshop on April 18, 2007. Shraddha & Marilyn plan to attend. A show of hands indicated that of those present five (5) used CBL (Vernier) and five (5) used PASCO at their schools.
b) Lab Safety in new Chemistry textbooks - Rebecca provided the attached compendium of safety notes for both the Nelson & McGraw-Hill texts. (See attachment “Alberta Education Approved Chemistry Resources for September 2007”). These are Alberta Ed approved textbooks but there are still some questionable labs in these new texts which are in opposition to the AB Ed Safety in the Science Classroom guidelines. The notes were reviewed by Techs present. The attached documents will also be previewed by science technicians in Edmonton. The STAS Executive has approved its distribution to STAS members and other relevant parties, including the textbook publishers, ATA Science Council Executive, and Alberta Ed.
It was also noted that McGraw-Hill has agreed to a reprint of the Chemistry text to correct the safety errors and will replace any books currently in circulation.
Also the Alberta Ed text for Science 20 has many copies with out of order pages. These can be sent back for replacement (CD must accompany returns).
c) STAS Bylaws, Conference: Bylaws are being circulated by mail to all Science Techs in the Province for ratification (signature on form to be returned). The 2007 STAS Conference will be held in Spruce Grove, AB on June 21
Howard Nickerson (CBE Safety Services Coordinator) arrived at 2:15 PM.
6) HOWARD NICKERSON:
Howard was introduced as the new Safety Coordinator who started with the CBE on January 1, 2007. He comes from the Maritimes with 10 years of experience as a Supervisor and Consultant in Safety. He stated that he is not a scientist but he does have certification as a first responder and is qualified to administer emergency first aid.
Howard confirmed that timely communication is a difficult task within the CBE. As an example an email Memo with Read Request sent to Principals from Safety Services in October 2006 was noted as being opened by some Principals in late March 2007.
a) Status of staffing in the CBE Safety Services department -
Safety Advisor – position vacant
Industrial Hygiene Technologist – position vacant
Safety Coordinator – Lori-Jean Schlenker (returning from health leave second week of April)
Safety Coordinator – Howard Nickerson
Safety Coordinator – position vacant
Administrative Assistant – Zabeen Shariff
they are interviewing for new staff March 19 – 23. Howard indicated that the purpose of Safety Services is to involve management in safety initiatives and to give advice on safety issues and concerns. He anticipated that there is some possibility of a structure change in their department by April 30, 2007.
b) Joint Workplace Health Safety Committee training course:
This is a half day course for up to 35 participants. Howard suggested that we should select six (6) to attend on behalf of Science (sc techs, sc teachers). This would be a joint in house training along with other CBE Safety Committees (current committees include Facility, Highfield, Emergency Response). This course could be scheduled to occur by June 30, 2007.
c) Update on the status of and end dates on contracts:
(i) The MSDS Database contract with Wellnet expires in August 2008. Howard reported that the Wellnet Database contract has an on-line capacity of 1500 MSDS’s. At present CBE has only 300 MSDS’s on-line. Howard indicated that when the Wellnet contract expires the CBE will be using the PeopleSoft system to manage MSDS links in-house.
In the meantime Howard advised Techs to do what you can to update your chemical inventory into an Excel spreadsheet format for June 2007. The column headers should include
(1) Manufacturer – if available, (2) Product Name, (3) Product Code – if available, (4) Special Notes (other name for product) as well as the amount in stock and location. It was suggested by Techs present that the CAS number would also be an important piece of “tracking” information.
(ii) EnviroSort contract is renewable each year. Contract started in September 2006 and was budgeted for $9000 in the first year. This amount was exceeded by January 2007. The “booking” system used by EnviroSort does make it more cost effective than previous methods of waste removal. After the waste is signed off by CBE shipper, the truck goes to Red Deer depot. Changes to container size on waybill are to comply with D.O.T. requirements of reporting when waste handler is stopped for auditing during transportation (eg. Our 10 L containers are placed into 210 L drums).
Both Routine & Non-routine Waste forms should be faxed to Safety Services at 294-8603. The phone number of the forms will be corrected on the CBE website.
d) Revision of CBE Management of Chemicals & Hazardous Materials binder:
Techs have suggested that a Tech Committee be formed to propose necessary changes. Because Safety Services in short on personnel, Howard indicated that this would be helpful to expedite the revision process. Rebecca will chair a committee of Techs to review binder content and formulate suggested updates. Techs were also asked to email Rebecca any suggested revisions. Information on proposed changes will be presented at next Sc Tech meeting.
e) Hazard Assessment or Job Task Analysis is required for each CBE job title in the Human Resources database. Howard admits that the process undertaken in December 2005 was “flawed” and the information captured was incomplete. There is an intention to revisit this initiative. Howard referred to an example of a Job Task Analysis form.
f) WHMIS for CBE staff
Section 29 of OH&S states the WHMIS Regulation. Put simply, anyone who uses toner or whiteout needs WHMIS training not just caretakers, art, shops and science staff. WHMIS training is required once in a lifetime. Documentated proof of WHMIS training is required on new hire to the organization. WHMIS and site specific MSDS review should also be part of one’s orientation when changing schools or work location.
The CBE has contracted Vubiz to provide WHMIS online training for 3000 employees (about 25 per school) however training status is not currently trackable between locations. The goal of Safety Services is to have an on-line training course on CBE intranet.
g) Q & A:
· CBE Limited quantity transport permit is due back from D.O.T the week of April 2. Howard will distribute a copy to each Sc Tech.
· Repirator Fit Test : refer to the NIOSH Regulation which specifies yearly fit testing or whenever there is a change in facial contours due to surgery, weight gain or loss etc. CBE Respirator Fit Testing is done by certified staff member Tim Hanks. Fit Testing for Sc Techs will be organized for April / May.
· TDG Certification: Techs requested that all Sc Techs be certified at the same time and that this occasion would be followed by a workshop, for Techs only, with a representative from EnviroSort in attendance. Techs would be able to become more informed on EnviroSort procedures and also have an opportunity to share “notes” with other CBE Sc Techs on hazardous waste handling.
· Ventilation in the workplace: Concerns were expressed by Techs that in some cases the specified ventilation parameters were not in compliance. Howard indicated that a facility site hazard inspection is required to identify this type of “shortcoming”. This is one of the tasks of a Joint Workplace Health & Safety Committee. A JWH&S Committee would also make recommendations regarding fire and electrical hazards as well as the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and fumehood monitoring. Howard noted that use of a “demand and control” style approach by Safety Services had been discouraged by Director of Facilities Operations, Dieter Hoertz. The method preferred was an “advise and support” strategy.
· Certificate of Recognition (COR): Howard reported that the internal year two COR Audit revealed “failures” in Elements 1 and 8. These will be the focus of improvements to the CBE Safety Program during the next year.
7. CBE STAFF ASSOCIATION:
Rebecca reported that the CBE Staff Association AGM will be held at 7 PM on March 28, 2007 at Crescent Heights High School. The CBE SA contract is due to expire on August 30, 2007.
8. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 PM