REVELSTOKE SAFETY & HEALTH COMMITTEE MINUTES - March 9, 2000 Held: March 9, 2000 Co-Chairman: Dwight Zatko Members in Attendance: Management: D. Zatko, E. Palasz, D. Barrett, Union Reps: C. Becker(BLE), B. Gardali(UTU), T. Kitchur(BMWE), J. Meloro (BMWE) Guests : C. Carroll, Service Area Manager (FOPS) T. Bergstrom, Field Safety Coordinator B. Black, BMWE Safety & Health Rep J. Copping, Road Manager (Temp) K. Sali, Road Manager (Temp) Meeting called to order at 0835. Minutes of February 10th meeting read and adopted. SAFETY ACTION PLANS: Field Ops - Site Inspections to be scheduled for April. E/S - Track Program safety plans rolled out UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Item 9901-06: W. Patrauchuk reported that BTMF trucks that have Johnson Boxes installed (reverses drive shafts) do not have back up alarms. Action(0003) 2 trucks left to complete. Committee to monitor. MOTION TO CARRY Item 9908-05: Larry Bennetts questions, with the onset of winter,the practice of using single units and the associated safety concerns if a total failure happens and the possibility of a total outage of our communication system. Action(0003) Single unit trains are occurring although have not encountered any problems. Committee to monitor. MOTION TO CARRY Item 9909-01: G. McCartney requested the S&H Committee for any assistance with the problem of improper vehicles supplied. Reported inadequate motors, seats, etc. Action(0003) E. Palasz reported letter has been sent to G. Pozzobon. Waiting for response. MOTION TO CARRY Item 9909-02: P. Mason reported a problem with the Hot Box Detector Alarm system readouts. He indicated they could be shortened eg, when there are no defects, why does it repeat it, take out the 'subdivision'. Action(0003) S&C Technicians are investigating. C. Becker sent letter to G. Mullally, Manager S&C Services, waiting for response. MOTION TO CARRY Item 9912-01: Suggestion re applying reflectorized tape on switch handles. Action(0003): E. Palasz reported approval for testing has been received from R. Dashko. Tape will be applied when received. MOTION TO CARRY Item 9912-02: J. Wells requested committees' recommendation for the company to provide washers/dryers to allow employees to clean work clothes which have been contaminated. Jim cited the Canada Labour Code as basis for this requirement. Action(0003): Response received from G. Pozzobon, General Manager (Engineering) (attach i). It is apparent that there is an inconsistency throughout area of what is available for employees. C. Carroll to investigate with R. McIlveen, Service Area Manager (Engineering). MOTION TO CARRY Item 0001-02: W. Patruachuk reported on concern with High Visibility Vests worn by Machine Operators. It has been reported that these vests could be caught on levers, potentially causing a dangerous situation. Action(0003): Safety Bulletin has been drafted and will be issued alerting employees of potential hazard. Note: vests do not have to be worn inside cab of machine. MOTION TO DELETE CORRESPONDENCE & BUSINESS ARISING: B. Black spoke of upcoming training modules to commence in 2001. C. Becker presented correspondence written to Cab Committee regarding concern with proper disinfectant articles to clean the unit work station. (attach ii) INCIDENT REVIEW |-------------------------------------------------------------| |Incident |Type |Location |Cause |Prev.Measures | |-------------------------------------------------------------| |Chunk of snow |MIR |M.68.3 Mtn.Sub |Environmental |IRR-discuss with | |fell off roof |FOPS |Bungalow | |employee to watch for hazard | |striking head | |02/01 1405 | | | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------| |Walking to line switch, |MIR |M.00.0 Shu Sub |Environmental |IRR-discuss with | |slipped & fell on knee |FOPS |Revelstoke Yd |ice covered |employee ensure | | | |02/06 1600 |ground |firm footing at | | | | | |all times. | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------| |Derailment - |Non |M.143.00 Mtn S |Ice & snow |Environmental/ | |1 car |FRA |Golden Yard |buildup |maintenance | | | |02/10 0240 |flangeways | | |---------------------------------------------------------------------------| |Cutting air, angle cock |MIR |M.62.0 Mtn Sub |Air venting |IRR - discuss | |air vented in face/ear |FOPS |02/10 |from valve, |with employee | | | | |near right | | | | | |side face/ear | | |---------------------------------------------------------------------------| |Detraining |FRA |M.141.00 |Detraining |IRR - discuss | |moving car |LTI |Windermere Sub |at improper |with employee | |twisted ankle |FOPS |03/02 1330 |speed(4-5mph) |proper procedures | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------| |Throwing switch/strain |FRA |M.35.0 |Overexertion |IRR-discuss with | |to back |LTI |Mountain Sub |throwing |employee proper | | |E/S |02/11 0730 |switch |method. | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| |Lifting angle |MIR |M.00.0 |Overexertion |IRR-stretching/ ask for assistance | |bar up off |E/S |Shuswap Sub |lifting heavy | | |floor | |02/11 0915 |object | | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------| |Installing receiver hitch, pinch |MTI |M.105.00 |Finger caught |Keep fingers out | |finger |E/S |Mountain Sub |in pinch point area |of pinch/point | | | |02/16 1100 | |areas.Install | | | | | |'stops'/hitches | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------| SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (INCOMPLETE) SHR9908-02: Unit 9126-excessive noise squealing (Macdonald Tunnel) Action(0003) Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has completed testing in the MacDonald Tunnel. Waiting for report. MOTION TO CARRY SHR9912-09: Engineer seat unit 9681 reported does not adjust forward enough to permit normal reach to controls. Action(0003) Unit inspected Jan 22. MOTION TO DELETE SHR0002-04: Bunkhouse at Kamloops - excessive noise coming from Nightclub across street. Action(0003) RCMP advise patrolling and monitoring of area will continue. No further incidents reported. MOTION TO DELETE SHR0002-05: Fraine Signal Bungalow - snow on roof broke off and struck employee. Action(0003) Gas masks will be available at Fraine and Rogers. MOTION TO DELETE SHR0002-07: Trees overhanging - Three Valley. Action(0003) TMS E. Palasz advises trees cut down.MOTION TO DELETE SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (NEW) SHR0003-01: Intermediate Signal 117 Shuswap Sub - changed from clear to stop. Action(0003) S&C Supervisor A. Biggs advises problem stemmed from a hanging tie under the controller on the switch at Pritchard. M/W notified and attended. MOTION TO DELETE SHR0003-02: Notch Hill No.2 back track east end - west end switch hard to hold onto. Hands easily slip off and could cause injury. Action(0003) TMS R. Miller advises new no-slip handle installed. MOTION TO DELETE SHR0003-03: Macdonald Tunnel - tunnel not purged, train 471-15, 1300 - Feb 18th. Action(0003) S&C Supervisor S. Peters advises the tunnel had been placed in the mode the tunnel crew had been using, in preparation for this process. However,the tunnel cleaning crew did not use any time because the block was not long enough for them to accomplish their task because they were going to work close to the east portal and they were coming in from the west portal. The S&C Mntr had some work to do in refuge bay 1 so the vent system components were changed so he could enter the tunnel from the east portal, while the tunnel completed purging. When he completed his task he asked the RTC to put the tunnel in mode 16 because he thought it looked clear to mid- tunnel, however there must have been some smoke left in the mid-tunnel area and when the fans were shut off, it drifted west of mid-tunnel and was likely still in the tunnel when the train entered some 20 or so minutes later. MOTION TO DELETE SHR0003-04: High Visibility Vests - getting snagged, do not pull apart as required. Action(0003) This particular model of vest has been recalled and a new type of vest made with softer mesh and less velcro has been ordered. MOTION TO DELETE SHR0003-05: Revelstoke Yard - No. 4 track. Soft track, rail not held to ties. Action(0003) E. Palasz to investigate. MOTION TO CARRY REPORTS OF SUB-COMMITTEES: - Macdonald Tunnel Diesel Exhaust test completed Feb 22, 2000. Train 823-045 - 114/0 Egt 16186 9668West. Committee boarded train at Bear Creek 1240k and proceeded to mile 83.9 at the intermediate for mid-tunnel where testing commenced. The first test was conducted in mode 4 with mid gate open. Monitors were placed at front and rear of locomotive consist, at the remote unit and one was worn walking 30 cars back from the headend. Second test was made at the same location with monitors at the same position, the mid gate was closed and tunnel was allowed to fill with exhaust to a heavy concentrate level. Readings were taken for approximately 20 mins under each set of conditions. Tests were completed and departed tunnel at 1400. Those present: Cris Kane (Occupational Hygiene Specialist), C. Carroll,D, Zatko S. Sabatini, K. Sali, D. Barrett, J. Copping, B. Gardali DISTRICT SAFETY & ACCIDENT PREVENTION REPORT: Nil NEW BUSINESS: Item 0003-01: B. Black expressed his concern with regard to the lack of an S&C representative to the S&H Committee. G. McCartney is no longer a rep. Action(0003) D. Zatko to contact G. Mullally re Management and Union representative. Item 0003-02: C. Becker spoke of inadequate information on lineup. Between 2230 3/6 and 0231 3/7 there were 5 TCS's in 4 hours - not one mentioned on lineup, making it very difficult to manage rest. Action(0003) D. Zatko to question NMC. Item 9812-03: C. Becker requested item 9812-03 be brought back to table - request to install light pole due to inadequate lighting from R/T parking lot to station, Revelstoke. Action(0003) J. Creighton to advise. Meeting adjourned 1120 - next meeting 0830 - April 13, 2000. L. Sali for D. Zatko/C.Becker ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ attach (i) Item 9912-02 To: Jim Wells March 3, 2000 Your message of January 18, 2000 refers, concerning employees wearing contaminated clothing in the work place. I am encouraged to know that your committee has taken the time to review material data sheets for products commonly found in the workplace. The first resort in controlling exposure to hazardous substances is to avoid exposure, and to comply with safe handling procedures. Contamination to clothing can be greatly reduced or possibly eliminated by following these two basic steps. As you know, it has been the practice of the Company to supplement these control measures by providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as disposable coveralls, aprons, gloves, etc. The nature of work in track maintenance is dirty and an inherent part of the job. My review of the legislation does not state the employer must clean clothing in this situation. Dirt from ballast, minor grease from equipment, etc, is the responsibility of the employee to clean. Not having seen the samples of clothing involved, it is not clear to me whether the articles are heavily soiled due to lack of regular periodic cleaning or account of not wearing PPE that is provided and available. Your letter indicates that it is the view of the Committee that the Company is not in compliance with COSH regulation 9.44(4). To my knowledge, all report to work locations on the former Revelstoke Division have in place drying areas or lockers which are separate from storing areas for employees street clothes. The second part of regulation 9.44(4) deals with cleaning (washer) facilities, for contaminated clothing. The Company's practice is to provide PPE work clothing, in lieu of installing washers. I believe that if employees adhere to safe handling procedures and wear personal protective equipment provided the risk of contamination to regular work clothing is minimized. I trust this will assist your committee in their work. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. G. Pozzobon General Manager ES ------------------------------------------------------------------ attach (ii) Correspondence C.P. Rail Locomotive Cab Committee c/o Bob Mackie,BLE West Delegate Gentlemen, Communicable diseases are a fact of everyday life. From common colds and flu, to hepatitis and HIV, they span a wide range of severity and ease of communicability. Germs can survive for hours or even days on benign surfaces. The simple act of touching the same object an infected person has, then rubbing an eye, or touching the nose or mouth, is sufficient, in some cases, to transfer disease from one person to another. In the railway industry, as you know, locomotives are operated serially by one employee after another. Each one of them spends several hours handling the controls of the locomotive, eating, using the toilet, blowing their noses, and all of the other less mentionable things humans tend to do. While we would like to think that all of our fellow workers maintain a high level of personal hygiene, this is probably not so. Hence, the possibility for transfer of germs and disease from one employee to another is quite high. Many RTE's, upon beginning their shift, will clean their workstation as best they can with the materials that are available. However, water and paper towels or wet naps have no disinfectant qualities. What they end up with is a workstation that appears cleaner, but is probably not germ free. What these employees need to maintain a healthier work environment is a bottle of spray disinfectant on the lead locomotive, or wet towelettes which have disinfectant qualities. RTE's could then quickly and thoroughly clean and disinfect their workstation at the beginning of their shift. Naturally there would be some nominal cost involved, but a downturn in employee sick time, particularly during cold and flu season is a strong possibility. A healthier work place means healthier employees and it is on this basis that the Revelstoke Safety and Health Committee is forwarding this request. We thank you in advance for your time and consideration in this matter. Chris Becker Co-chair, BLE rep Revelstoke S&H Committee
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