Staff, faculty praised for safety initiatives

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By Paul Mayne
Thursday, May 8, 2008
President Paul Davenport lauded the work of staff and faculty in building a “strong culture of safety” on campus with the awarding of the 2008 Occupational Health and Safety Awards.
 
 

The late Thomas Macfarlane, Director of Health Services, was recognized with a 2008 Occupational Health and Safety Award for being a leader and mentor concerning safety on campus. Macfarlane’s wife Penny (centre) accepts the award in his honour from President Paul Davenport and Vice-President (Resources and Operations) Gitta Kulczycki.

 
“You have taken a leadership role on campus to ensure the safety and security of our students, staff and faculty,” Davenport told award winners on April 28.
 
He noted the university’s passing grade in the 2007 WorkWell Audit (the only university to do so) and the reduction in days lost to injury as the university makes it a priority to “enhance and sustain the safety focus for years to come.”
 
Chosen for dedication at work to health and safety, in addition to their regular responsibilities, 11 individuals and four teams were recognized this year. They include:
 
Walid Altahan, Manager of Laboratories, Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Altahan oversees operations of the department’s laboratories. He took the lead in a review of safety for operations in labs at the floor level. His work has resulted in machine shop students having greater adherence to safety rules and protocols. Altahan has played a key role in changing the culture of operations to one where safety is natural.
 
Kevin Barr, Research Technician, Physiology & Pharmacology
Barr, chief technician and laboratory manager since 1992, ensures the lab is a safe workplace. He trains new students in safe operating procedures, inspects the lab on a regular basis, and monitors disposal of hazardous wastes. Barr serves as a fire warden for the building.
 
Arthur Brown, Scientist, Robarts Research Institute
Brown has been an active member of the Robarts Research Institute Safety Committee and has acted as co-chair for the past four years. He is an excellent resource for the committee on issues relating to animal research.
 
Nicole Bullbrook, Alumni Relations Officer, Alumni Relations and Development
Bullbrook spearheaded a campaign to purchase air purifiers for office space in Alumni Hall and ensured filters were maintained. Bullbrook has served as a fire warden and is also first aid contact. She recently identified the need for a stair replacement at Westminster College to prevent slips and falls.
 
Lianne Dale, Research Assistant, Robarts Research Institute
Dale has long promoted health and safety at Robarts. During the integration process, she attended all the training sessions so she could educate those in her area about programs available through Western. She ensures everyone in the laboratory has the required training and follows up with individuals who need refresher training.
 
Peter Ferguson, Research Associate, Cancer Research Program, Victoria Research Laboratory
Ferguson, a research associate, established a weekly inspection, maintenance and recording system for all eyewash stations on the fourth floor and prepared personnel for a major ministry of labour inspection.
 
Elizabeth Hampson, Professor, Psychology
Hampson has been a member of the Radiation Safety Committee since 2001. Her radiation permit has met or exceeded regulatory requirements in every inspection. She serves as an example for her high level of commitment to lab safety.
 
Erika Hill, Lab Technician, Geography
Hill has led the Department of Geography’s health and safety initiatives since 2006. She ensures each person takes health and safety training and provides tours for incoming faculty, staff and graduate students on the equipment and safety devices.
 
Thomas Macfarlane, Director, Health Services
Thomas Macfarlane worked as a physician at Western for more than 25 years until his death on Dec. 14, 2007. He helped create the Student Emergency Response Team in 1989 and, as a leader and mentor, was responsible for supervising and training this integral part of the safety program at Western. Macfarlane was a member of the University Biosafety Committee.
 
Jennifer McInnies, Lead Hand, Animal Care and Veterinary Services
McInnies has taken safety for her co-workers to a new level. She helped to plan an ergonomic training session for ACVS employees with a lecture and live session using challenging scenarios. She helped to create a report for tracking biosafety and chemical hazards in both ACVS facilities.
 
Frank Miller, Director, Hospitality Services
Miller has been Director of Hospitality Services for almost 16 years. He has committed his time, resources and support to ensure the department functions safely. He has spent many hours in the operations, not just inspecting, but also coaching, mentoring and challenging the team.
 
Western Retail Service – The Book Store (Ingrid Johnston, Darrin Barrow, Chris Mouritzen and Connie Vink)
The group applied knowledge gained in the 2007 WorkWell Audit to the various areas of Retail Services. A Health and Safety Committee for Retail Services has been established to review the safety program and to address safety concerns.
 
Chemistry Solvent Dispensing Facility - Rob Lipson and Marty Scheiring
As chair of Chemistry, Lipson campaigned for and secured funding for the Solvent Dispensing Facility in the Chemistry Building. Scheiring made the facility a reality by researching similar facilities, contributing to the design and construction of the dispensing room.
 
Chemistry Health and Safety Committee – Robert Hudson, Kim Baines, Mark Workentin, Elizabeth Gillies, Clara Wren, Yang Song and Rob Harbottle
When the Chemistry department was chosen to pilot the OHS Risk Management Plan, the Chemistry Health and Safety Committee took on the task. The committee developed communication plans, initiated an inspection schedule and developed checklists and recording tools.
 
University Machine Services staff – Steve Arnold, Kevin Barker, Chris Buckrell, Garvin Burt, Clayton Cook, Peter Drexler, Brian Groot, Jack Handysides, Steve Hewlette, Kevin Lee, Rob Levesque, Karen McDonald, Doug Phillips, Cody Ruthman, Gary Snyders, Bob Stuart, Josh Taylor, Chris Vandelaar and Ian Vinkenvleugel
 
Over the past several years, employees have taken active roles in health and safety. Staff often work with unusual or new materials that may be hazardous. The installation of ventilation equipment and implementation of a work assessment procedure have added controls to minimize the risk of exposure.
 

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