Minutes of the Physics Division ES&H Committee

July 11, 2005

Attendees:  J. Emes, K. Hardy, R. Kadel, J. Kadyk, N. Palaio, F. Rosado, A. Spadafora, R. Madaras, K. Thompson, M. Garcia-Sciveres, B. Savnick

Self-Assessment Review/Summary

• Improvement, feedback, etc.
• Incorporated goals from previous year
• Included any other reviews/appraisals, etc.
• MESH Comments
• Ergo needs improvement (currently in process)
• LCATS updates needs improvement
• Make sure employees attend all required training
• Training grade = YELLOW

• Many changes – Kathie leaving
• Chemical Inventory – Ideas for handling empty/disposed containers
• HEAR Database – Hazard control and identification
• All OSHA violations have been corrected
• Housekeeping needs attention
• Most areas have been maintained well

Construction Accident Update

• Discussed in last month’s meeting
• Report coming soon
• New contract has many new EH&S clauses – Suggest everyone look at this

Storage Space

• Looking for on-site storage space for short-term items
• Something other than 903 – We may lose this space or most of it
• Bldg 50D is an idea and is being considered
• Someplace to keep equipment, documents, etc., that is used on a regular basis, but not everyday
• Not many alternatives for storage at LBNL

Accident Prevention

• Lifting accidents
• MoveSmart Training
• Looking at different ways to communicate hazards
• Everybody does some sort of lifting, pushing, pulling
• Institutional help needed
• Ergonomic Injuries
• Hard to cut down on these injuries
• We are constantly given new electronic-related tasks

ISM Agreement

• Signature form for new hires
• Career employees only

New Epoxy Requirements

• Must wear respirator when mixing
• Epoxy is a sensitizer
• Widely used in Physics division
• Only one person in the division is qualified to do epoxy mixing (M. Garcia-Sciveres)
• Working with industrial hygienist to find better ways to handle this
• MSDS for epoxy does not mention use of respirator
• LBNL employee had an allergic reaction, possibly from ingesting epoxy
• Looking into use of fume hoods (can be costly)
• Fume hoods will work for mixing, but what about when other things are being done with epoxy?
• Would “elephant trunks” be sufficient?
• Will everyone who uses epoxy be required to wear a respirator?

SRC Update

• Adopting diagrams for electrical work
• Number of reportable accidents is up
• 30% Ergo, 30% Trip/Fall, No electrical accidents

Accident Rate

• Why has it gone up?
• Many distracted by contract issue
• Afraid of consequences = Reporting less/more
• Statistical fluctuation
• Can’t look only at accidents, but TYPE of accidents