Environmental Health and Safety Committee
Annual Report

Environmental Health and Safety Committee
Annual Report
Fall 2007- Fall 2008

Submitted to Greg Diemer, UWSP Vice Chancellor Business Affairs
By UWSP EHS Committee.

January 16, 2009 

Overview

This report covers activities of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) Environmental Health and Safety Committee (EHS) from the time period of the Fall Semester 2007 through the Fall Semester 2008.

The full EHS Committee met two times per semester over the past three semesters and meeting minutes can be found on the web at http://www.uwsp.edu/ehs/committee.htm.

During the past year, the EHS committee reestablished the EHS sub-committees; made significant efforts to support the Resolution to make UWSP a Smoke-Free Campus; publicized the 2008 Severe Weather Week and the Drill, continued addressing pedestrian/traffic safety concerns, and organized and publicized the Flu Shot Clinic/Health and Wellness Fair in November.

The year ahead presents additional challenges. With continued participation and leadership from the EHS Committee, we will continue to work toward continuous improvement of the UWSP environmental, health, and safety performance.

I would like to recognize and thank all of the participants in the EHS Committee for their time and work volunteered to this important campus function. These individuals include:

• Jerry Naczek, UWSP Union Representative (recently retired)
• Nicholas Hyer, SGA Representative
• Scott V. Asbach, RHA Representative

• Tom Journell, HEC Representative
• Anne Swenson, SCAC Representative
• Jerry Lineberger, Centers Representative
• Cindy Balz, Personnel/Old Main Representative
• Ed Miller, Faculty Senate Representative
• Mike Marksteiner, Facility Services Representative (recently retired)
• Ellen Jo Holguin (Chair Elect), College of Natural Resources Representative
• Sally Scovill, College of Professional Studies Representative and Advisory Member, Employee Wellness
• Margaret O'Connor, Science Building
• Jennifer Hayes, Health Service/Delzell Representative
• Mike Zsido, Residential Living Representative
• Andy Pech, Learning Resource Center Representative
• Guillermo Penafiel, Fine Arts Center Representative
• Neil Heywood, Acting Associate Dean of Letters & Science Representative
• Sharon Gahnz, Advisory Member, Counseling Center (recently retired)
• Bill Rowe, Advisory Member, Protective Services
• Jeff Karcher, Advisory Member, Safety and Loss Control
• Wendy Peterson, Support, Environmental Health & Safety
• Greg Diemer, Authorizing Line Officer for EHS Committee, Vice Chancellor, Business Affairs.
  
  

Projects & Accomplishments

The following bullet points summarize the EHS Committees main projects and accomplishments over the stated timeframe covered by this report.

          The UWSP Emergency Management Plan (EMP) has reviewed, up-dated, and revised August 25, 208. Hard copies and a comprehensive web page were developed in order to have the material available to the entire campus community. The website can be found at http://www.uwsp.edu/ehs/emp/ . The most recent addition is guidance in case there is a shooting incident: Active Shooter/Code React.

          EMP training was initially organized through the EHS Committee and completed by the UWSP EHS Department. Training for all new employees is included as part of New Employee Safety Orientation by Dick Bartosh, UWSP EHS Officer.

          Dick Bartosh was elected chair of the EHS Committee and Ellen Jo Holguin was elected as the Chair-Elect in October of 2007.

          Anne Swenson accepted an appointment to serve as the representative from SCAC.

          The EHS Website has been frequently up-dated using Expression Web: http://www.uwsp.edu/ehs/.

          Sub-committee Chairpersons were appointed and EHS sub-committees have been re-established with the objective of getting more involvement and tasks accomplished.  

          The Community Health Sub-committee, lead by Jennifer Hayes has met to address safety concerns about barefoot students and smoking cessation efforts.

          Building and Safety Sub-committee, chaired by Andy Pech, will monitor concerns regarding pedestrians at crosswalks. This sub-committee will also address scooter routes and parking, a policy for students working alone, and determine if outside doors on each building should be numbered.

          The Education and Training Sub-committee, chaired by Sallie Scovill, promoted and helped publicize the Flu Shot Clinic/Health and Wellness Fair. Also, this sub-committee has publicized Tornado Awareness Week in April and will continue to consider how to make Severe Weather Drills more effective; and will evaluate campus safety training effectiveness.

          Messages of the Day were sent out to students and faculty/staff with a letter from Greg Diemer explaining the times and procedures to take during the Severe Weather Awareness Week. Monitoring of several buildings during the tornado watch and warning was done by committee members. Jeff issued a report to UW System Administration following the drill.

          Voice-over warning systems (that include severe weather warnings) have been added to more fire alarm systems on campus. Announcements may be made to all buildings or individual buildings.

           Automatic External Defibrillators have been located in each residential hall, Allen Center, Debot, UC, LRC, FAC, CCC, CPS, Science, CNR, Schmeeckle Reserve Building, CWES, Treehaven, Protective Service Squad car, and two units in the Health Enhancement Center. These units are inspected monthly.

          The 2008 UWSP Safety Walk was conducted with EHS Committee participation on October 28^th, 2008.  The main problems were lighting and concrete unevenness. A final report was issued by Safety & Loss Department.

          The UWSP Safety & Loss Control Office is working on continuity of operations planning (COOP) for the campus. Working with UW-Madison Police Department (hired by UWSA) to complete planning for primary critical functions (those functions that may not be interrupted at all or no greater than 12 hours). Have completed Phase 1 & 2 campus-wide draft. Working on now departmental plans Phase 1-5. Once these COOP plans are completed will begin to finalize Pandemic Plans. Have worked with Portage County on county-wide pandemic planning.

          Messages of the Day were also issued regarding Hand hygiene (MRSA and Norovirus); Material Safety Data Sheet Policy Up-date; Caution regarding the misuse of Propane Cylinders for Methamphetamine Production; ICE (In Case of Emergency), and Slips, Trips, and Falls.

          UWSP Safety & Loss Control and EHS Departments have numerous other projects and tasks completed throughout the year. The above are a reflection of  those projects that involved the UWSP EHS Committee participation or review.

 Goals and Objectives

The following are recommended goals, objectives, and projects to be considered by the committee for the upcoming year.

          Community Health Sub-committee: Assist in the promotion and training on AED units throughout campus, and provide guidance regarding barefoot persons; and promote smoking cessation.

         Building and Safety Sub-committee:  Improve Pedestrian/Motorist Safety Performance; address scooter routes and parking; continue to monitor the corner of Franklin and Division Street to determine what, if any, safety improvement may be made at that intersection; provide education to all parties related to traffic and pedestrian safety; recommend guidelines for students working alone; and coordinate annual Building Safety Inspections with each committee member.

         Education and Training Sub-committee:  Coordinate and publicize the 2009 Tornado Awareness Week, organize and promote the UWSP Flu Shot Clinic/Health and Wellness Fair for all employees in Fall 2009; and evaluate campus safety training effectiveness.

         Evaluate the possibility of organizing an on-campus Disaster Planning Exercise.

         EHS Committee members participate in the National Incident Management System training.

         EHS Committee member participation in the Fall 2009 Campus Safety Walk.

         Improve overall campus awareness of EHS matters with the ultimate goal of continuous improvement of performance on campus.

         Encourage and promote a stronger safety culture among all employees through training and Messages of the Day.

Respectively Submitted by,

Dick Bartosh

UWSP EHS Committee Chair