David Fillmore - Local Area Manager
Robert Kingsbury - MGT Sydney
Paul Ashe - MGT North Sydney
Don MacLeod - MGT Sydney
Ralph Curnew - CUPW Glace Bay
Andrew Gingell - CUPW Sydney
Gordon MacDonald - CUPW North Sydney
Allan James - MGT Regional Health & Safety Officer

It was agreed that Don MacLeod would take over as Co-Chair of the LJOSH committee until Lew Palmer returns from leave. Gordon MacDonald wanted to ensure that his disagreement with lack of a local nurse was mentioned in the minutes. The reason for the disagreement is that it is felt that we have lost personal hands on experience and knowledge with the loss of our Heath Nurse. It is also felt that managing health issues is difficult over the phone.

OLD BUSINESS:

NORTH SYDNEY:

Cleaning of the office in North Sydney is still considered to be an issue. BJLC has sent a representative to look at the office to date we have not received a written report. Paul Ashe was advised to send Jim Gagne (real estate) and Allan James an e-mail concerning this for his follow up. Dave Fillmore will also contact BJLC concerning this problem.

GLACE BAY:

NO OLD BUSINESS

NEW WATERFORD:

The committee asked in the last meeting that we look into the possibility of providing discounts at local fitness centers. Dave Fillmore had committed to do so. The answer received was that there was not a program nationally to do so in all locations. We do have an agreement with Health Styles but this only covers employees where these centers are open.

It had been requested by a letter carrier that a relay box be added to the afternoon portion of his walk to help lessen the weight due to health issues. We had weighed the mail for this section of the walk for a period of one week and found the volume to be acceptable. But we will add a relay box to ensure the health and safety of the employee.

SYDNEY:

Andrew Gingell raised the question of phone numbers for employees to make contact with the office. The number employees have been instructed to use is the main number in the phone book and it is constantly busy. We have a second number 564-0687 in the letter carrier office that can be used. Employees will be given instructions that this will be the line for them to call. Voice mail and call incoming will be added to the features of this line prior to making the change.

STATION "A":

NO OLD BUSINESS

UMO:

NO OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS:

NORTH SYDNEY:

Gordon MacDonald raised the issue of notification of LJOSH meetings and the reason we held them on snow days. With the absence of Lew Palmer the co-chair of the committee notification did not get out three days in advance as per normal. The usual time for LJOSH meetings is the second Tuesday of each month. This meeting was changed because Allan James was scheduled to be in Sydney and wanted to attend our next meeting. The issue of holding the meeting to one hour was brought up. Gordon felt this might not be sufficient time to air all issues. The one hour time frame is only a guideline and depending on the issues the meeting can be longer.

It was asked when the individual training for health & safety would be held. Allan James responded that the training department has not finished with all the details and that he would check on this and get back to us.

The union asked for full access to the UMO. This will be forwarded to Harold MacKinnon for a response and resolution. Harold will be asked to contact Gordon MacDonald about this.

The North Sydney UMO does not have a health & safety bulletin board. Harold MacKinnon will be asked to make one available for this use.

The issue of cleaning was brought up again; this will be looked at as mentioned before.

Gordon MacDonald asked about the ladies wash room in North Sydney. It is very small and is felt would not meet code under today's standards. BJLC and real estate will be asked to look into what can be done to fix this problem. We would need funding to do anything major in the office.

Fatigue matting was mentioned as an issue. Paul Ashe to review what is in the office and what needs to be replaced.

As a way to help Letter Carriers in the winter it was suggested that we create a news letter for our customers to be sent out in late November advising of potential hazards that home owners could look after. Such as keeping the walk ways free of snow and ice, ensuring Christmas lights are not on the tops of stair railings, and that their steps are in good condition. This will be something we will look at through the next few months perhaps through a sub committee. They should determine all of the points we want to make to our customers.

It was asked if M95 respirators could be provided to the offices. This was asked due to the fact that one of our drivers had deliveries to make at a seniors complex that had the Norwalk virus. Although the complex was not quarantined visitors were being told to stay away. The employee later became sick. He had been given a mask but it was not sufficient for this type of work. Allan James said that he could supply some of the M95 type masks, but also suggested the employee should have carded the items rather than risk his health.

SYDNEY MINES:

An issue was brought up concerning a water leak in the Sydney Mines retail lobby. In the lobby left of the front door by the window is a wet spot where it looks like there is mold and rust, the paint is also peeling off the wall. Paul Ashe was advised to contact Real Estate and BJLC to resolve the issue.

GLACE BAY:

The office is very cold in winter and it seems like the radiators may need to be bled. The system is old and does not work as well as it should. Employees on occasion need to where their winter coats when sorting mail. The second issue is a urinal is blocked in the men's wash room. BJLC and real estate will be advised of these problems.

NEW WATERFORD:

NO NEW ISSUES

SYDNEY:

One request for a new fatigue mat was made. An order will be placed.

Andrew brought up an issue concerning 109 - 275 Welton Street this part of the street does not have a sidewalk and is very dangerous for a letter carrier especially in the winter. Traffic is very busy on this street 4 lanes with few lights to slow cars down. There are other locations such as this in Sydney that should be looked at as well. It was suggested that some pictures be taken and a letter sent to the CBRM councilor for the area. This is a safety hazard for not only letter carriers but for anyone trying to deliver to these homes while on foot.

Andrew brought up a cleanliness issue with the Sydney MPP lunch room. This seems to be an employee issue leaving dirty dishes in the sink and not cleaning up after themselves. The lunch room is cleaned each day to a high standard by the building owner. A letter will be drafted advising employees to make sure they wash and put away dishes and utensils. Management will monitor the effectiveness of this and take the necessary steps as a follow up.

One of the sets of traffic lights on Kings Road are not synchronized causing a problem for the carrier to get across the street. Don MacLeod will call the engineering department to advise them of the problem.

STATION "A":

NO NEW ISSUES

Allan James:

Allan discussed the improvement that has happened in the past year with respect to the reduction of accidents in Cape Breton. Allan also handed out information on steps to follow titled Action Plans to Implement Learning (reproduces below). This is a follow up to the most recent LJOSH training session that some of the committee members attended in the past month. Mention was made that we should review the terms of reference in the next meeting.

SAIR REPORTS:

Log #1948: Employee slipped on ice while doing the walk continued on and reported it to the supervisor. The SAIR does not indicate if the employee was using cleats. Follow up - discuss this with the supervisor and if not make sure the employee knows to wear the cleats in future.

Log# 62748: Lifting accident employee hurt back because he had to shovel his drive way in order to get to work weakening his back. Said this happened because he was told he would not be paid if he did not come to work.

Action Plans to Implement Learning Implement Action Plan

STEP 1:
Before the first committee meeting and soon after this training workshop, individual committees should discuss, schedule and commit to having a meeting to deal with how they will apply the Terms of Reference, how and when site inspections will be done, any resolution of parking lot issues from the session, etc.

STEP 2:
Organize a consultation with the local CUPW executive, if they are not committee members, to ensure mutual understanding of the LJH&SC Terms of Reference and processes to be used as soon as possible after the training workshop. This meeting could be part of the meeting referred to in item 1 above.

STEP 3:
The CPC co-chair should meet with their team leader and the safety officer within 2 weeks of training session to discuss relevant issues generated at the training session and plan for how they can apply the Terms of Reference, the support required of them and of others and anticipated barriers. They should develop strategies to overcome barriers with this group.

STEP 4:
Within 4 weeks of the training session the facility LJH&SC management group should develop a plan to engage the whole of the local management team and stakeholders. The roles and responsibilities to the LJH&SC should be communicated and clarified.

STEP 5:
A biweekly implementation status report should be provided to the Operations Director level and safety officer on an on-going basis to ensure they are aware of initiatives undertaken and the type of support they should be providing.

STEP 6:
A monthly implementation status review should take place at the GM/Director level on an ongoing to keep them informed and to ensure their support.