REVELSTOKE
WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
MINUTES – March 13, 2003
Held: March 13, 2003
Co-Chairman: Stan Bell
Members in Attendance:
Management: S. Bell, T. Marinier, B. Riches
Union Reps: B. Gardali (UTU), P. Bede (BLE), A. Stewert (BMWE), K. Jones (B&B)
Meeting called to order 0835. Minutes of February 13, 2003 meeting read and adopted.
Field Ops – Gas Mask distribution – 1 RTE outstanding. Waiting for canisters to complete fit testing of ES staff.
E/S – Safety Plan rollout complete. Safety Meeting calendar published.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Item 0103-04: P. Bede inquired re possibility of increasing speed restriction for new potash cars from 15 to 20 mph.
Action (0303) Elevated to Policy Committee. Stan Bell to contact S. Sabatini to determine Risk Assessment. T. Marinier indicated as far as E/S is concerned, there are no track issues. Issues are with Mechanical and Accident Prevention. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0201-04: R. Mellish requested light be installed at Chase (westend)
Action (0303) Installed. MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0204-03: P. Bede questioned re requirement of installation of sliding derails for setting off units at Rogers, Chase, Ducks and Moberly.
Action (0303) Rogers – hinged derail w/crowder to be installed #1 and #2 track (east end) Complete
Moberly – hinged derail w/crowder to be installed.
Chase & Squilax – hinged derail w/crowder installation Complete.
Ducks – hinged derail w/crowder – installation Complete. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0207-04: K. Jones reported decals missing on signal masts at Stoney Creek West (and possibly other locations – Beavermouth?
Action (0303) New decals received, however should not be applied in cold weather.MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0211-05: Request from Locomotive Engineers to be supplied with headlamps.
Action (0303) Stan indicated he would like to follow up with some feedback from the lamps that are out on the property before considering issuing to Locomotive Engineers. Some concern with switching, having a clear understanding with regard to use of switch lamps, some employees are not carrying their switch lamps, durability and cost factors, etc. Feed back received from Locomotive Engineers indicates very well received. Stan to advise. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0212-01: W. Hayman inquired with regard to progress on mid train SBU’s for tailend remote coal trains.
Action (0303) Tentative testing date March 24th. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0212-03: W. Hayman has concern with Pearson St. crossing where a motor home recently was caught on the crossing and the gate came down – can the traffic flow be re-aligned on Victoria road by installing a flashing stop sign (the same as MacKenzie Ave)? Or is there some other solution before an accident happens.
Action (0303) Advanced concern to City of Revelstoke. Stop sign re-installed north of crossing.
Stan to advance to R. Poznikoff, Community Relations. MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0301-03: A. Stewart reported a recent problem with the propane switch heater hose at Squilax (west).
Action (0303) B. Ritches reported hoses were checked. Regular maintenance inspections occur every Fall.
MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0301-04: P. Bede reported the reflective tape on switch handles – back tracks Shuswap Sub is wearing.
Action(0303) B. Riches reported tape has been ordered, waiting for arrival. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0302-01: P. Bede questioned what procedures are in place when a one unit train fails enroute – send a BTMF truck out to get the crew?
Action: (0303) Sending a BTMF truck is a possibility – survival kit on the unit? S. Bell to advise.
MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0302-02: K. Jones reported to Committee status of “Hantavirus” problem. The virus is passed through airborne particles from deer-mice droppings which can be stirred up by the dust when walking.
In 2001 the mice were located in the refuge bays. Protective gear is provided and cleaning of the bays is done on a regular basis. Kent reported the mice have now relocated from the bays (where they are virtually sealed off) and have now relocated to the drains.
Action (0303) Response received from Hygienist B. Tully: MOTION TO DELETE
Response to Item 0302-02 : People rarely contract hantavirus but the potential for exposure increases dramatically during operations which cause the "virus-carrying" excrement to become airborne (i.e. cleaning/sweeping). We know that hantavirus is most commonly carried by deer mice (although not exclusively). Also, not all deer mice carry the virus, in fact it is a fairly low percentage, the virus only remains active for a short period of time. Some researchers say 24-48 hours others up to 2 weeks, either way not all excrement encountered would have the active virus. Therefore, to increase the likelihood for exposure you would typically need to have;
For this reason, it is important to use safe-work procedures when cleaning up areas where mice are known to nest. Some people have commented that the procedures are "overkill' but we have tried to minimize the risk of exposure.
The likelihood of exposure for somebody simply being in the same area as mice decreases dramatically. The mice may not be deer mice, they may not carry the disease, the virus may not be active and it isn't becoming airborne. These types of conditions exist not only in tunnels, but anywhere, including the side of the road, in someone's backyard or basement.
It is important for workers to have a basic awareness of "hantavirus" and how it affects us but personal protective equipment is not generally warranted unless the excrement is being disturbed. I would caution workers to use safe work procedures whenever handling excrement from any source. An awareness campaign was rolled out a couple years ago that included the distribution of "Hantavirus" pamphlets but if some people may require a refresher.
Item 0302-03: K. Jones advised the gate located at Bear Creek is damaged and presents a hazard because it cannot be closed properly and is hard to see in the dark.
Action (0303) Kent advised reflectorized tape will be applied as soon as weather warms up. Gate will be
replaced. MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0302-04: J. Meloro reported fumes in the Mechanic Shop when machines are running.
Action (0303) B. Tully to advise. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0302-05: J. Meloro requested E/S crews be trained in Avalanche Training. He reported there is a local training course provided.
Action (0303) T. Marinier and Committee agreed this would be valuable training. Training is available, however it was felt an instructor should be invited to attend E/S safety meeting. J. Meloro / K. Jones to investigate. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0302-06: B. Gardali requested to review Terms of Reference.
Action (0303) Committee reviewed and adopted. MOTION TO DELETE
CORRESPONDENCE & BUSINESS ARISING
- Review suggestion of “bumper sticker” to reinforce requirements of the track unit operator when operating on other than a main track. This was a result of recent CRV Cranbrook Yard – Track Unit and Locomotive Collision – January 22, 2003. T. Marinier advised Committee of further action plan to be rolled out in conjunction with H&S Committees across the system to highlight rules, etc.
- 2003 Wellness Event – Sylvana Leclerc, Wellness Coordinator – not too early to starting planning.
INCIDENT REVIEW
Incident Cause Prev.Measures
| 3rd Party Injury – train struck trespasser |
3rd Party |
M.63.20 Shu 02/14/03 2335 |
Trespasser attempted to cross thru stopped train |
RCMP / CP Police advised |
| Struck arm inside cab of unit |
MIR FOPS |
CP 9724 02/15/03 1230 |
Grip caught on fridge in unit, struck arm on door |
Discuss in IRR |
| Grinding, stone blew apart striking foot |
LTI E/S |
M.109.0 Shu 02/21/03 1230 |
Improper stone used in this particular grinder |
Correct stones to be used. |
| Train struck rock on track |
NON FRA |
M.85.7 Shu 02/20/03 |
Rocks on right of way |
E/S cleared track, rock scaling completed |
SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (Incomplete)
SHR 0112-07: Snow conditions while operating on heavy grades – suggest advanced clear to stop signals on all heavy grades.
Action (0303) New CTC system is scheduled over the next few years – Committee should advise of all requests for changing (in priority order) to S&C for consideration. Recommendations received for Mountain and Shuswap Subdivision. Paul Bede/Bob Gardali to prioritize and forward recommendations to T. Marinier. MOTION TO DELETE
SHR 0202-06: Do we require local exhaust ventilation in B&B welding shop (for welding).
Action (0303) B. Tully to advise further. MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0211-02: Backtrack crossover switch 89.3 Mtn – Ross Peak – tough to throw.
Action (0303) TMS Sadek advises switch has been repaired and will be oiled on a regular basis.
MOTION TO DELETE
SHR0212-03: MU cables laying around on the ground at Ducks, Chase and Squilax
Action (0303) TMS R. Miller / J Creighton to arrange to have a permanent rack installed. P. Bede/K. Jones to
follow up. MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0302-03: Rail at Ducks located where conductor detrains creating tripping hazard.
Action (0303) TMS R. Miller advises this rail is for installation this spring – it will be cut and moved.
Hazards will be marked with a flag for identification. MOTION TO DELETE
SHR0302-10: Chase Yard – trip hazard – PVC pipe with cap south rail off siding Chase
Action (0303) TMS R. Miller advises the pipe has been wrapped with “Caution” hi-viz tape and will check with S&C to see if it can be lowered or moved to reduce tripping hazard. MOTION TO DELETE
SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (New)
SHR0303-01: Revelstoke Yard parking lot – slip/trip on icy surfaces. Slush and snow, lots of water.
Action (0303) TMS Palasz to advise. MOTION TO CARRY
REPORTS OF SUB-COMMITTEES
- Mount Macdonald Tunnel – gas mask distribution complete except for 1 RTE.
Connaught Tunnel – discussion on purges – if two fans are required. Tim Marinier indicated testing must be completed first to determine if two fans would be required.
- Emergency Evacuation Plan – P. Bede / K. Jones
DISTRICT SAFETY ADVISOR REPORT – N/A
NEW BUSINESS
Item 0303-01: K. Jones expressed concern over Contractors working in Shaughnessy Tunnel – require proper training/familiarization handling CP equipment.
Action (0303) Tim Marinier assured Committee this concern has been/will be addressed for upcoming project.
MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0303-02: K. Jones inquired if track machinery is utilizing “Environmental Friendly” oil.
Action (0303) B. Riches to investigate. MOTION TO CARRY
Meeting Adjourned 1040. Next meeting – April 10, 2003.
L. Sali for
S.W. Bell/ B. Gardali