Department of Pathology Safety Committee

9/9/2008, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

MED SCI I, 3114

Minutes

CHAIR: Brenda Schroeder, Administrative Coordinator, Pathology Administration

MEMBERS * indicates member absent

Beatty,Shelly / Lobato, Judith * / Thomas, Linda
Bell, Elaine * / Martin, Kristina / Venzina, Jennifer *
Chandler, Kathleen * / Naik, Kalyani * / Warren, Jeff *
Coppernoll, Daasha / Naylor, Binita
Drury, Andrew / Noeyack Jr, Bernard *
Fredenburg, Heidi * / Possley, Michelle
French, Diana / Rigney, Christine *
Guant, Christine * / Schroeder, Brenda
Harro, Dave / Schroeder, Jonathan

Welcome/Greeting

Meeting opened, August minutes reviewed and accepted.

Injury Reports

Brenda Schroeder will be added to the distribution list and will review the accident/injury reports for the each area.

Concerns/Issues

Donning of gloves/lab coats outside of laboratory (door handles). Staff are concerned that there are inconsistency between each laboratory in regard to what is allowed in terms of wearing gloves and touching door handles. Brenda will work with the individual laboratories in an effort to ensure all the laboratories are using standard work practices.

Compliance with institutional latex free initiative – staff members have developed latex allergies and there is concern that the department is not compliant with the institutional latex free initiative. Brenda will take the lead in evaluating the current latex glove use and working toward compliance with the institutional latex free initiative.

Traffic hazard in corridor outside of Pathology laboratories on UH Level 2. Would it be possible to obtain a mirrored dome to place in the corridor outside of the laboratories? Employees often experience run in with other staff in this area. Staff feels this increases the potential for biohazard contamination. Brenda will address this issue with department administrators and the department of Facilities.

Fire drill critiques – is each lab listed individually? Brenda will follow up on this and respond to lab supervisor.

Disaster fan out – there is question in regard to consistency between department web page and Safety Central. Brenda will follow up on this question.

Projects

Safety committee members requested detailed information in regard to the roles and responsibilities of laboratory safety leads/officers. Brenda will continue to develop these as the Health & Safety Manual is review and revised.

Cart Pushing/Pulling – concern about moving specimen delivery carts through heavy doors in Specimen Processing and Hematology. This process is repeated every few minutes during the work day. It was suggested that a delayed door closing mechanism be installed on these doors to allow staff time to push carts through without holding the door open. Brenda will work with lab supervisor and department administrators to resolve this issue.

Summary/Closing

Members will continue to serve as safety liaisons for laboratories and provide feedback to committee.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:58am.