REVELSTOKE
WORKPLACE
HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
MINUTES – DECEMBER
11, 2003
Held: December 11, 2003, Revelstoke, B.C.
Co-Chairman:
Stan Bell
Members in Attendance:
Management: Stan
Bell, Brad Riches
Union Reps:
J. Meloro (BMWE), P. Bede
(BLE), S. Minhas (BMWE)
Guests:
Brian Black
Meeting called to order 1015. Minutes of November 13, 2003 meeting read and adopted.
SAFETY ACTION PLANS
Field Ops & ES – 2003 Safety Framework
complete / 2004 plans prepared.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Item 0305-01: Paul Bede inquired with regard to necessity of fall protection
on units for crews when cleaning windows and checking for sand.
Action
(0312) Resolve – if employees cannot
safely maintain 3 point stance, do not attempt and report to Mechanical Services.
MOTION
TO DELETE
Item 0305-02: P. Bede
inquired about stretchers in deployed position – can’t get person on stretcher
off unit.
Action (0312) Sergio Sabatini advises
item is being examined by National H&S Policy Committee.
MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0310-01: J. Meloro
reminded Committee that there are seasonal employees (snowfighters)
coming and wondered if yard schematics are up to date, as there are no longer
Yardmasters (as per Item 3.3 ES Safety & Health “Provide new/transferred/seasonal
employees with an orientation and a copy of the track schematics”)
Action (0312) Complete. Joint ES/FOPS
bulletin covering contact with MYPM and intra-communication between ES &
FOPS employees. Also
discussed Rule 105 change coming.
MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0310-03: P. Bede brought forward several
concerns at Kamloops.
- Several RTE’s have reported
finding an alarming number of used syringes in the yard (Kamloops) and in areas adjacent to the bunkhouse.
- Room #36 evidently
the roof is leaking. Reported repaired
this summer but is again leaking
- Fire extinguishers
in the bunkhouse – can they be stored in a tamper proof container
- Condition of road
at the Mile 7 dump crossing – taxi cabs will not drive down this road because
of its condition – requires grading?
- Apparently a turnstile
has been installed at the pulp mill crossing. Crews carrying backpacks, SBU’s
to not fit through – suggested a gate be installed.
Action (0312) Manager Operations
Road, R. Merritt to advise. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0311-01: P. Bede
reported smaller bridge (last shed) at Flat Creek, Mile 94.5, has no walkway.
Action (0312) J. Creighton to advise.
MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0311-02: P. Bede
advised about more concerns with the Kamloops: new blinds for rooms, lack of lockers and furniture
is worn.
Action (0312) Manager Operations Road R. Merritt to advise.
MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0311-03: P. Bede
inquired if an ‘S’ could be applied to yellow flags to indicate slow?
Action
(0312) Not in ES Standards.
MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0311-04: B. Gardali
inquired regarding possible application of slip-proof paint being applied
on stirrups, handrails and platforms during regular M/S maintenance on cars,
starting with coal fleet. Stan advised
the new re-sprayer facility should resolve this problem with sprayer technology
that will only spray inside the coal car.
Action (0312) C. Koutroumanos to
advise. Bob
Gardali will site inspect re-spray facility.MOTION
TO CARRY
Item 0311-05: Al Stewart advised of
a recent concern regarding a broken rail at Tappen
within limits of Rule 42. Flags were
not in place and E/S forces experienced resistance from RTC to issue TOP.
Action (0312) T. Marinier to advise.
MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0311-06: Items from Away from
Home Meeting Field: TMS S
Sadek advised Nov 14/03:
-
The east odemeter mile sign for westward movement
at mile 9 has fallen over.
Action: It will be replaced today
- Another sign reported missing was the station name sign for Frain
and also no east mile board for the same location. Mac or
Conn? They
will be repaired today if Barb gives us the time.
- Footing
in the east end of yard at Golden/Hill is treacherous in spots.
Action: We have had the regulator
doing some work in the east yard and the crew picking up the large rocks
- Sandbox
outside BH in Field not yet filled.
Action: It will be filled today
- Concern
as to the weight of the rails in the backtracks at
both Donald and Redgrave – what are the restrictions
at both places?
Action: Weight of rail is not a problem for the big
power so Redgrave is OK. However, the tracks at Donald are a problem
account not to standard. Ties are in
poor condition and the rail is not much better.
The rail is nailed down direction to the tie without a tie plate. The tracks at Donald are now restricted (no
6 axle power). Will
be carried in Monthly Operating Bulletin.
- One
last item also has to do with the approach of winter .
Soon we will be setting off Wild cars at Beavermouth . In past years your guys have done an excellent job of ensuring
that the areas around the backtrack is free
of things to trip on before the snow flies. Hope you have the time and manpower
to do the same good job this year.
Action: We will do our best to keep area clean.
If you have any problems please call.
MOTION TO DELETE
CORRESPONDENCE &
BUSINESS ARISING
I am sending this correspondence on behalf of myself(
Dave Hickey) and Gordon Treber. As mentioned to
Bob on Nov 19 we were called to deadhead to Kamloops
at 2131 and 2132 on Nov 18,the following is a summary of the situation that
occurred and some of my personal thoughts on the current deadhead policy.
When we reported for duty on the night in question there was heavy snow fall
and a mountain crew had just turned a van around. At that time I called the
operations manger (Dave) asked if he was aware of the conditions
, his reply was that the roads were open. I informed him that
it did not look good for travel to Kamloops at that
time but we would go and see how the roads looked .The conditions leaving
Revelstoke were poor, visibility was limited to less
than 100 feet with accumulation of wet snow ,there had been no
plowing or sanding done. At about 2200 we felt that it was a hazardous situation
and returned to the Revelstoke station. Upon returning
we called the OM to inform that we would be unable to travel to Kamloops by taxi.
After some time a decision was made by the OM that we would take the bus at 2400
to Kamloops. All of crew members at this time
were not comfortable with this decision as we would still be traveling
on roads we felt were unsafe. We also informed him that it would impossible
to make it back to Revelstoke under our 12 hours
as two crews were called in tcs service.The
OM was unresponsive to our concerns and commented that he had to have crews
in Kamloops. We contacted local management the response we got
was that if the buses were traveling then that was a save way to be transported.
Both Gordon and myself informed the OM that we not comfortable going
to as it would inevitably mean we would be changed off on the way home
thus putting ourselves and two more crews on the roads. At this time an offer
to have our call changed to straightaway service was made to end our concerns
about being changed off. Although we did not feel good about being on the
highway it was being coming obvious that the only way to stay off the roads
was to refuse duty and risk disciplinary action, under protest we took
the bus to Kamloops. During this period of discussion
with the OM the travel advisory was recommending
that no unnecessary travel be made on any BC highways. By the time we arrived
in Kamloops the highway was closed west of Kamloops and also west of Revelstoke.
My personal feelings on this matter are as follows.
First I think that by changing the method of transportation from
a van to a bus there has been a reduction in the danger of traveling on the
highway under poor conditions, but we are sadly mistaken if we think that
the danger has been eliminated. I am not aware of any CP safety policy that
would encourage only reducing a hazard when it is within our means to
eliminate it completely. I believe that we all felt that if we were to eliminate
the risk of traveling unsafe roads we may face disciplinary action.
Secondly it has always been my understanding that we are responsible for our
own safety, the many rules and guidelines we have make it very clear how to
perform our jobs well and still come to our loved ones. But when it comes
deadheading there is very little information about how to look after
our safety or what is expected of us, this seems kind of strange
as this most likely the most dangerous tour of duty. For years we have been
driven around in sub standard vehicles with no real set of guidelines to ensure
our safe return home, it seems that little gets done until there is a problem
, and it is left up to the individual(s) to define what is save on the
highway. Running a save railroad is contingent on black and white
policies deadheading seems to be a very gray area, if we apply what seems
to be CPs policy on deadheading we would all decide
when we wanted to follow certain rules or maybe rules would just be rough
guidelines.
In closing I would like to suggest that before real winter weather sets in
there be committee formed to set some guidelines for traveling on highways
this winter. This should include some steps taken by the OM before deadheads are called to ensure
good road conditions not simply if the roads are open. I would gladly donate
my free time to help ensure safe travel for myself and fellow employees.
Thank for your concern to this matter Dave Hickey.
Action (0312): Health
& Safety feedback to lodges has been if highways are open and unionized
bus drivers are prepared to take themselves and their passengers on the highway,
RTE’s must be prepared to go. Greyhound employs professional drivers. Employees are not in a position to second guess
the judgment of a professional unionized driver. MOTION TO DELETE
Incident Location Cause Prev. Measures
SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (Incomplete)
SHR0212-03: MU cables laying around on the ground at Ducks, Chase and Squilax
Action (0312) Chase has rack installed. Would like similar installation of racks at Greeley, Moblerly, Ducks, Donald and
Squilax. Also include Stoney Creek and Rogers with start up of tunnel project. KJones advised brackets are ready for installation. P. Bede to followup. MTD - June 12, 2003.
Note: Item brought back to table account not complete.
Oct 16/03
S. Bell to contact T. Marinier to follow up.
MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0305-03: Unit 9013 – poor seating
resulting in sore back. Should not be used as leaders.
Action (0312) S. Bell
to investigate status of modifications of seats for the 9000 series with C.
Koutroumanos
Waiting
for response.
MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0306-03: DE9520 – no guard around
MU engine emergency shut down switch – easy to trip accidentally
Action (0312) Bob Reynolds, Manager Locomotive Systems, advises
the problem was noted on the CP1 locomotives 9500-9582. CP is performing a modification to replace the
switch with a guarded toggle switch (same as on other newer GE units). The modification number is 2111 and to date
– 19 out of 83 units are now complete. No
update available. MOTION
TO CARRY
SHR0310-06: Lanterns when on and
held vertical to see, Engineer cannot see you.
If side light on for engineer, worker cannot see. If set light down when on,
you cannot see the light.
Action (0312) A new model has been received and on hand. MOTION
TO DELETE
SHR0310-07: Issue with VRU – being
rested for duty