Health and Safety Committee Minutes

December 8, 2016

1 PM to 2:00 PM, CP 103

Employee Elected Positions
Organization / Representing / Elected Members / Present (X)
Academic Affairs / Education / Donna Braboy / X
Nursing / Susan Johnson / -
Social Work / Gabriela Crosby / -
Library / Hannah Wilson,
Co-Chair / _
Teaching & Learning Center / Carolyn Maxson / X
Academic Advising / Jennifer Wilson / X
Milgard School of Business / Erica Howard / _
Academic Affairs, Global Honors, Urban Studies & Chancellor’s Office / Silvia Neely / _
Institute of Technology / Robert Landowski / X
Administrative Services / Finance & Administration At-Large / Galen Guffy / X
Campus Safety & Security / Robert Whitfield / -
Facilities Services / Don Lee / -
Advancement / Advancement / Alex Volkman,
Co-Chair / X
Center for Urban Waters / Center for Urban Waters / Alex Gipe / -
Enrollment Services / Enrollment Services / Linda Spence-Noyer / X
Equity and Diversity / Equity and Inclusion / Sara Contreras / -
Instructional Technology / MEDEX / Vanessa Bester / -
Organization / Position / Name
UWT Environmental Health & Safety / Director of UWT EH&S / Dave Leonard / X
Facilities Services / Director of Facilities Services / Stanley Joshua / X
Campus Safety & Security / Director of Campus Safety & Security / Susan Wagshul-Golden / X
SUBJECT: Laboratory Safety / Instructional Supervisor- Environmental Science/IAS / Michelle Miller / -
Ex-Officio - Committee Support
Organization / Position / Name
UWT Environmental Health & Safety / Committee Secretary / Galen Guffy / X

Meeting called to order: 1:05 PM.

Environmental Health & Safety Report: Dave Leonard

  • Dave expressed gratitude and appreciation on behalf of the UW Tacoma Safety Committee to our Campus Security and Safety Officers in light of the December 1st fatal shooting of a Tacoma police officer during a domestic violence call. There is a memorial for the fallen TPD Officer, Jake Gutierrez on Monday, December 9, 2016 at the Tacoma Dome.
  • Dave addressed some safety concerns brought up at last month’s safety roundtable:

-Dave and Facilities Director, Stanley Joshua discussed the sidewalk grate on 17th Street and Broadway in front of the Dougan Building – the grate gets very slick especially when it rains or it is cold outside. Dave and Stanley will contact the City of Tacoma and ask them if they can remedy this problem.

-Dave reported that the City of Tacoma recently restriped the stop line on 19th and Jefferson in front of The Swiss.

-Future projects include a concrete side walk or paver access across the grassy slope in front of the Dougan Building that people frequently slip on and new curbing to accompany the new student housing building slated for future construction on Court C.

OARS Reports – The Committee reviewed and discussed UW Tacoma’s November 2016 OARS Reports. The committee found the reports acceptable and recommended no further action. The OARS reports are summarized below:

U Wide Safety Committee Meeting – The December U Wide Meeting is on December 14, 2016, thus it follows this meeting. The next report will be due Jan. 12th, 2017.

Safety Topic –Winter Driving: Susan Washgul-Golden

Susan and Stanley discussed best practices for winter driving in snowy and icy conditions:

  • Sign up for UW Alerts to get messages on your phone and via email – you will be alerted if the UW closes due to inclement weather.
  • Review the UW inclement weather closure policies:
  • Freezing fog and black ice occur late at night and early in the morning both impact road conditions significantly. When weather conditions are bad, check the Pierce County Transportation Department website: for road closures and warnings before driving.
  • Winterize your vehicle each year with appropriate tires, radiator and coolant flush and fill, etc.
  • Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle during the winter driving months including: jumper cables, road flares, chains, flash light, extra warm clothing (gloves, coat, snow boots), a space blanket, extra food & water, games – in case you get stranded and have to wait for an extended period of time for road service.
  • For more information about winter driving in the Pacific Northwest view the following video:

Susan and Stanley also reviewed UW Tacoma’s response to a 2010 winter bus accident on campus. A bus traveling down S. 19thskidded on accumulated snow and ice and turned over at the top of The Grand Staircase. Campus safety removed over 22 passengers including an infant and triaged with emergency workers in the Science building. It is critical to use care when driving and walking in snowy, icy conditions.

Stanley responded to the request made last meeting for a map of the snow routes on campus that Facilities routinely salts/sands for ice control on a daily basis. Alex offered to edit the map for inclusion on the UW Tacoma EH&S webpage.

Safety Round Table:

Galen: Appreciation and gratitude to Stanley and UW Tacoma Facilities for their very thorough salting and sanding of the campus snow routes per our request last committee meeting. The routes are consistently covered on a regular basis throughout every work day.

Linda:Appreciation and gratitude for the new traction system on the Mattress Factory stairs. This system could work well for the Court 17 garage stairs. Also if you have car trouble in one of the Diamond parking lots, there is a telephone to call an attendant. They will come and provide assistance such as help change a tire or call emergency services if necessary.

Susan:There has been an uptick in vehicle prowls. When you park in the lots or on the street take care not to leave boxes or bags or valuables of any kind in plain view from any of the car windows. Be mindful of your surroundings when you park – try to choose well-lit areas.

Alex: The stairwell at Court 17 is very slippery. Water accumulates on the steps and freezes. Also, there have been a few near misses on S. 17th Street with drivers speeding down the hill and almost hitting pedestrians. Dave requests that people email him if they observe this occurrence in the future.

Susan: there will be some parking and traffic code changes with respect to the Convention Center, S. 17th St., and Broadway as the construction for the new hotel going in next to the Carlton Center is bound to cause congestion.

Meeting adjourned at 2:02pm

Meeting Minutes Respectfully Submitted by Galen Guffy

Next meeting: January 12, 2017, 1pm to 2pm, Location: TBA