Environmental Health and Safety Committee
Annual Report

Environmental Health and Safety Committee
Annual Report
Fall 2003- Fall 2004

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

February 25, 2005 

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 2003 through the Fall Semester 2004.

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 formal EHS subcommittees. The committee, among other tasks, finalized the UWSP Emergency Action Plan, began training in the EMP, organized 2004 severe weather week, began addressing pedestrian/traffic safety concerns, organized flu shot clinics, and took major steps in implementing a substantial automatic external defibrillator program on campus.

The year ahead presents additional challenges and tasks to address. With continued participation and drive from the EHS Committee, we will further work towards continuously improving UWSP�s environmental, health, and safety performance.

I would like to 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
• Lauren McGrath,  SGA Representative
• Matt Schuler, RHA Representative
• Greg Breitbach, HEC Representative
• Jerry Lineberger, Centers Representative
• Vicki Marksteiner, Personnel/Old Main Representative
• Ed Miller, Faculty Senate Representative
• Mike Marksteiner, Facility Services Representative
• Ellen Jo Holguin, College of Natural Resources Representative
• Jim Ramsay, College of Professional Studies Representative
• John Betinis, Health Service/Delzell Representative
• Mike Zsido, Residential Living Representative
• Andy Pech (Chair Elect), Learning Resource Center Representative
• Guillermo Penafiel, Fine Arts Center Representative
• Neil Heywood, Science Representative
• Sharon Gahnz, Advisory Member, Counseling Center
• Terry Aittama, Advisory Member, Employee Wellness
• Bill Rowe, Advisory Member, Protective Services
• Dick Bartosh, Advisory Member, Environmental Health & Safety
• 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 Committee�s main projects and accomplishments over the stated timeframe covered by this report.

�          The UWSP Emergency Management Plan (EMP) was finalized in the Fall semester of 2003 and approved by the Chancellor�s Cabinet. This was a major accomplishment for the committee. This project had been worked on extensively during the time Mike Marksteiner chaired the EHS Committee. A subcommittee consisting of John Betinis, Mike Marksteiner, Jim Ramsay, Mike Zsido, and Jeff Karcher was charged with completing this project. A student employee, Nathan Humpal, was hired to complete the web design. The EMP was completed in hard copy and a comprehensive web page was 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/ . In addition, 33 hard copies were distributed throughout key offices on campus.

�          EMP training was initially organized through the EHS Committee and completed by the UWSP EHS Department. At this time approximately 700 individuals have been trained throughout campus. Additional training will be on-going by Dick Bartosh, UWSP EHS Department and individual units.

�          Dr. Anne Abbott�s Health Promotion students in the Fall of 2003 took the EMP as a promotional class project and used a variety of means to promote the document. This helped increase awareness of the EMP throughout the campus community.

�          Jeff Karcher was elected chair of the EHS Committee and Andy Pech was elected as the Chair-Elect in October of 2003.

�          Ellen Jo Holguin accepted nomination to serve as the representative from the College of Natural Resources.

�          EHS Committee manuals were updated and distributed to those who requested them.

�          Efforts to re-establish the EHS subcommittees were made with the objective of getting more involvement and tasks accomplished. Members were asked to sign up for a subcommittee. Subcommittees where then established, with committee chairs assigned.

�          The Community Health Committee, lead by Vicki Marksteiner, organized a very successful flu clinic in November of 2003. 172 shots were given before running out of vaccination doses. A survey was conducted by students from the Health Promotion and Human Development Major from Dr. Abbott. This surveyed those receiving the shots and provided insight on the clinic such as 80% of those surveyed preferred the walk-in style of clinic. This information will help to plan subsequent flu shot clinics. Dr. Jim Ramsay�s students also assisted in the effort. Students also did an excellent job of coordinating during the day of the clinic.

The Community Health Committee also organized a 2004 flu shot clinic during the early fall semester. Unfortunately, the Fall semester 2004 Flu Shot Clinic was canceled due to a nation-wide vaccination shortage in the United States.

Relevant information concerning this shortage and training material to prevent flu transmission by other means was distributed by the subcommittee in Fall of 2004 to the entire campus by MOD and flyers. 

�          In the Fall of 2003, the EHS Committee reviewed and discussed the proposed State of Wisconsin Concealed Weapons Law and the consequences it may have on the campus if passed.  The committee ap�proved the following resolution:  �The EHS Committee supports the UW System amendment to the Concealed Weapons law and asks the legislation to exclude UW campuses from places a person has a right to carry a concealed weapon�. Jeff Karcher wrote to our local State Representatives (Senator Lassa; Representative Molepske) to voice the Committee�s concerns and recommend changes in the legislation. The bill was vetoed by the Governor and veto upheld. 

�          The Committee was involved in the promotion of musculoskeletal screenings and educational sessions sponsored by the EHS department and conducted by Physical Therapy Associates for UWSP employees. Over 60 employees participated in these voluntary one-on-one sessions and provided positive feedback on the educational value.

�          Building and Safety Committee, chaired by Jerry Naczek, worked on concerns that were presented regarding the crosswalk at HEC on Fourth Avenue. City of Stevens Point Street Department was contacted and requested to evaluate the Crosswalk. New pedestrian signs were placed at the crosswalk. No other action taken by City. Training material on pedestrian/traffic safety sent out to campus (via MOD/SMOD) by EHS Department.  Crosswalk evaluated by subcommittee chair Jerry Naczek, no observed problem with motorists not yielding.

�          The Education and Training Committee, chaired by Mike Marksteiner, worked on Weather/Tornado Awareness Week promotional efforts and drill for April 19�24, 2004. Promotional efforts included promotional booth in the U.C. during the Severe Weather Awareness Week aimed at educating the UWSP community in severe weather issues. Brochures and other printed material were distributed to people by the students manning the booth.

MOD was sent out to both students and faculty/staff with a letter from Greg Diemer explaining the times and procedures to take during the Severe Weather Awareness Week. Monitoring done of several buildings during the tornado watch and warning.

Dr. Jim Ramsay had three students work on a practicum project on overall severe weather preparedness and promotion (they assisted also in severe weather week).  The students submitted a report summarizing their study and provided further recommendations for severe weather preparedness and signage for campus buildings. This report will be continued to be evaluated to further improve severe weather preparedness on campus. The Education and Training Subcommittee will continue to look at this issue.

Also, authorization and funding have been provided by the campus and State to install voice-warning systems (that will include severe weather warnings) in more buildings on campus. This extensive project will occur over the next year or two on campus and help improve response and awareness.

�          The committee discussed the need for additional automatic external defibrillators on campus. Greg Diemer requested a proposal from the Community Health Committee on the issue of additional AEDs for campus. Bill Rowe, Community Health Committee Chairperson, coordinated development of a proposal which was approved and forwarded by the committee to Greg Diemer. After review Greg Diemer authorized a level of funding for purchase of eight AEDs for high traffic/risk areas on campus. The UWSP Safety & Loss Control Department reviewed the proposal with other campus areas. The Deans of each College and Centers management decided to also fund AEDs for their respective areas. Access AED units where ordered, however an unfortunate recall of the Access units occurred in November resulting in the program delay. At this time other AED units are being evaluated by the Safety & Loss Control Department and the replacement AEDs are expected to be installed on campus by March, 2005. In addition, Bill Rowe secured an additional AED unit through a grant by Portage County Emergency Government. Furthermore, Mike Zsido of Residential Living proposed purchasing units for each resident hall (14) on campus and has recently gained approval.

At conclusion of the project effort as planned,  AEDs will be 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.

�          Building and Safety Committee responded to concerns of new bus stop on Fourth Avenue blocking view of pedestrian crossway on this street. Jerry Naczek, chair of the Building & Safety Subcommittee, contacted City Bus manager and worked with them to resolve the issue by moving the bus stop location further up the road 100 feet from the cross walk.  This appears to have solved the problem of pedestrian visibility when the bus is stopped.

�          The 2004 UWSP Safety Walk was conducted with EHS Committee participation on October 12^th, 2004.  The main problems were lighting and concrete unevenness. A final report was issued by Safety & Loss Department. 

Goals and Objectives 

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

�        Community Health Subcommittee: Organize and promote a UWSP Flu Clinic for all employees in Fall 2005.

�        Community Health Subcommittee: Assist in the promotion and training on AED units throughout campus.

�        Building and Safety Subcommittee:  Improving Pedestrian/Motorist Safety Performance. Have Building and Safety Subcommittee continue to study the corner of Franklin and Division Street to determine what, if any, safety improvement may be made at that intersection. Work on education of all parties in area of traffic and pedestrian safety.

�        Building and Safety Subcommittee: UWSP EHS Department organizes with each Committee member an annual Building Safety Inspection. Committee to assist in the organization of inspections with UWSP EHS Department.

�        Education and Training Subcommittee:  Coordination of 2005 Tornado Awareness Week Activities.

�        Education and Training Subcommittee:  Education and Training Subcommittee continue to research different proposals and ideas on placing uniform emergency signage into each campus building. Provide a report with recommendations.

�        Radio Temporary Sub-Committee: Study usage of radios on campus to determine current practices and types of equipment used. Provide recommendations to improve consistency and standardization with goal of enhancing inter-department communications.

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

�        EHS Committee members participate in the National Incident Management System introductory training as needed.

�        EHS Committee participation in the fall 2005 Campus Safety Walk.

�        Improve overall campus awareness of EHS matters with ultimate goals of continuous improved performance on campus.  

Respectively Submitted by, 

Jeff Karcher

Chair UWSP EHS Committee