Improvements in OHS on Main Campus

The Athabasca-location joint health and safety committee met on March 19. There was significant progress on several issues to report.

COVID-19

AU has adopted all of the suggestions made by AUFA and the OHS committee last week about reducing the risk of AU staff contracting COVID-19. Updates about AU operational changes can be found on the AU website.  

The committee then discussed some of the hazards caused by shifting most AU staff to home office arrangements. These included ergonomic, working alone, and mental health hazards.

Air Quality

Inspections of the main building revealed several concerns about air quality. AU will be having the air quality tested once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. This testing will include airborne mold testing.

Gym Door Lock

AU is removing an interior door lock that created a possible entrapment zone in the gym. This issue was flagged by staff member in the autumn. Additional security measures are also being considered.

Bookshelf Sweep

Darren Schmidtke and Facilities reviewed approximately 200 bookshelves in the main building and the ARC. Facilities will be proceeding with securing or shimming approximately 25% of the shelves to prevent them from tipping over.

Evacuation Training

Darren Schmidtke held meetings with the majority of AU Main evacuation zone wardens. Additional wardens are being solicited. Further meetings have been postponed to deal with COVID-19 issues.

OHS Training

The committee has developed new OHS training to replace the training that was rolled out last summer. A final review of the new training will occur at the next OHS committee meeting.

Fire Stairs

A work requisition to repair the tile in the central fire stairs in the main building will be submitted this week.

Inspections

Almost all issues identified in the December inspections of the gym, HR, the registrar’s office, POC, the library, IT and the labs have been resolved. A process of completing inspections during the COVID-19 outbreak was developed.

Incidents

The committee reviewed six OHS incidents that have occurred during the past two months.

Overall, there has been significant improvements in AU’s compliance with its OHS obligations in the past six months. If you have concerns about workplace hazards, you can raise them with your supervisor and/or members of the joint OHS committee.

Rhiannon Rutherford and Bob Barnetson, AUFA members

Athabasca-location Joint Health and Safety Committee