REVELSTOKE

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE

MINUTES – NOVEMBER 13, 2003

 

 

Held:                November 13, 2003, Revelstoke, B.C.

Co-Chairman:    Bob Gardali

 

Members in Attendance:

Management:    Stan Bell, Kevin Sali

Union Reps:      Bob Gardali (UTU), Paul Bede (BLE), Al Stewart (BMWE)

 

 

Meeting called to order 0835.  Minutes of October 16, 2003 meeting read and adopted.

 

SAFETY ACTION PLANS

 

Field Ops -  SOFA Audit KVR complete (attached)

                 -  Away From Home Safety Meetings Kamloops / Field complete.

 - Fall Site Inspections complete

 

E/S – Riser, Site Inspections and Slip/Trip Falls complete.

 

 

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 (0311)    S. Bell to investigate with S. Sabatini and Rodney Campbell, Fall Protection for Equipment.

                        Awaiting reply from Sergio.                                                                   MOTION TO CARRY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Item 0305-02: P. Bede inquired about stretchers in deployed position – can’t get person on stretcher off unit.

Action (0311)    Awaiting reply from Sergio                                                                    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 (0311)    T. Marinier / TMS Palasz to advise.                                                       MOTION TO CARRY

 

 

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 (0311)    Manager Operations Road, R. Merritt to advise.                                      MOTION TO CARRY

 

 

Item 0310-04: P. Bede informed committee of concern with regard to scanners on the Shuswap Sub.  The new message indicating the air temperature is excessively loud and overrides the message itself.

Action (0311)    D. Cassell advised there are two different digitally recorded voices. The voices that announce the words ‘temperature and degree’ are a little more pronounced and therefore are heard slightly clearer.  They do not override the remainder of the message.               MOTION TO DELETE

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE & BUSINESS ARISING                                                          

                                                                       

Items from Away from Home Safety Meeting at Field:

            - east odometer mile sign for westward movement at mile 9 has fall off or over

            - station name sign for Fraine missing – also no east mile board for same location (Conn or Mac?)

            - footing in the east end yard at Golden/Hill is treacherous in spots – slip/trip hazard in winter

            - sandbox at Field bunkhouse needs to be filled

            - concern as to weight of the rails in the backtracks at both Donald and Redgrave – what are the restrictions at both places?

            - ensure area around the backtrack at Beavermouth is cleaned up before winter

TMS S. Sadek to advise

 

 

 

INCIDENT REVIEW

Incident                                         Location                Cause                                      Prev. Measures

Run Thru Switch

NON

FRA

Golden Yard

03.10.20  1530

Switch not lined for intended movement

Informal investigation

Unit Derailed

NON

FRA

Revelstoke Yd

03.10.25  1000

Poor tie condition

E/S made required repair

Employee slipped off rung of ladder fell to ground

LTI

FOPS

M.125.7 Mtn

03.11.03  2200

Lost grip and footing on ladder while descending

IRR

Run Thru Switch

NON

FRA

Field Yard

03.11.07  0420

Switch not lined for intended movement

Informal investigation

Run Thru Switch

NON

FRA

Golden Yard

03.11.12  0230

Switch not lined for intended movement

Informal investigation

 

 

SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS  (Incomplete)

 

SHR0212-03:              MU cables laying around on the ground at Ducks, Chase and Squilax

Action (0311)    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 (0311)    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 (0311)   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

 

SHR0309-01:  Field Bunkhouse – no emergency lighting in both locker rooms.

Action (0311)    Response from Pierre Chartrain, Project Manager, Real Estate indicates the National Building Code does not require emergency lighting to be provided in meeting, storage or locker rooms.  On occasion, Risk Management has exceeded code requirements when the path of egress within the room is complicated - this is not the case with either locker room. 10.27.03.MOTION TO DELETE                                              

 

SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (New)

 

SHR0310-05:  Taxi from Rogers stuck on Rogers hill in 6 inches of snow – require to carry tire chains.

Action (0311)    TMS Sadek requested to have regular maintenance of road.  Mt. 7 Taxi contacted – felt the driver may not have enough experience at that location and indicated they would followup.  Mt. 7 has also been notified ensure winter tires are installed. Also requested taxis consider use of chains at these locations.                                                                                         MOTION TO DELETE

 

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 (0311)    Different style lamps are being looked into or modifications.  Check with Road Manager R Baron for replacement when available.                                                                  MOTION TO CARRY

 

SHR0310-07:  Issue with VRU – being rested for duty

Action (0311)    K. Sali advised that MTPL is an ongoing issue and will try to have OM’s update to reflect a more accurate lineup.  Bob indicated he would like to push this issue to a higher level.  Stan Bell indicated he would forward to Sergio to possibly pursue through National Policy Committee.

                                                                                                                                    MOTION TO CARRY

 

SHR0310-08:  MYPM Golden instructed 830 to enter Track B to I track, power to infield.  MYMP did not indicate north yard was switching and train currently in I track.  As a result, had a headlight meet with yard engine and stopped in I at tailend of southbound until he left.

Action (0311)    S. Bell advises situation has been profiled with Golden MYPM team.       MOTION TO DELETE

 

SHR0311-01:  Seat in CEFX 117 is rocking severely side to side – resulted in sore back.

Action (0311)    Employee did not report to Diesel Dr for repair.  Mechanical Services has been notified to book unit into database for repair.                                                                   MOTION TO DELETE

 

SHR0311-02:  Tappen - Dual control switch is between North & South tracks.  Is this safe?

Action (0311)    K. Sali to site inspect and advise.                                                            MOTION TO CARRY

 

SHR0311-03:  Tailend remote on grain trains – the need for mid train SBU is needed even on these trains – it is different from coal.

Action (0311)    S. Bell to advise.                                                                                   MOTION TO CARRY

 

 

REPORTS OF SUB-COMMITTEES - Nil

 

DISTRICT SAFETY ADVISOR REPORT – N/A

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Item 0311-01: P. Bede reported smaller bridge (last shed) at Flat Creek, Mile 94.5, has no walkway.

Action (0311)    J. Creighton to advise.

 

Item 0311-02: P. Bede advised about more concerns with the Kamloops:  new blinds for rooms, lack of lockers and furniture is worn.

Action (0311)    Manager Operations Road R. Merritt to advise.

 

Item 0311-03: P. Bede inquired if an ‘S’ could be applied to yellow flags to indicate slow?

Action (0311)    T. Marinier to advise.

 

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 (0311)    C. Koutroumanos to advise.  Bob Gardali will site inspect re-spray facility.

                                                                                                           

 

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 (0311)    T. Marinier to advise.                                                                           

 

 

 

L. Sali

For S. Bell / B. Gardali

 

 

 

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