MEMBERS PRESENT: Katrina Doolittle, Jaime Marrujo, Doug Parten, Tom
Reichardt, Linda Perez, Chris Pennise, Jose Gamon, Leigh DeRoos, Missy
Giacomelli (for Greg Block), and Richard Long
Guests: Dolores M. Bernal (Sun News) and a NMSU Student
The regular Safety Committee Meeting was called to order at 3:35 P.M. by
Katrina Doolittle, Chair.
1. Revised Smoking Policy
a. Katrina Doolittle stated that 21 comments had been received through
an on-line suggestion on the smoking policy, 15 were positive in favor
or the revisions, 3 were negative and 3 suggested modifications. Katrina
read the comments before discussing the policy.
b. Katrina asked for comments from the floor. Discussed was hours of the
day the policy should be enforced and wording to be incorporated into
the policy. Linda Perez stated that smokers should stand 25 feet from
buildings and air intake grills during daylight hours and at night when
reasonable. It was stated that many employees work after five. Tom
Reichardt asked to define the wording “what’s reasonable”. Katrina
stated that the wording was not defined and that it is “when reasonable,
but it should be known that if it is extremely cold, raining, etc...
individuals that are smoking should not have to stand away from some
shelter. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed to direct
conflicts, in the different buildings, regarding the statement “when
reasonable” to Environmental Health & Safety.
c. Doug Parten asked how the 25 feet area was going to be designated.
Katrina stated that the ashtrays and benches would be moved by Grounds
Department and EH&S would help designate area. Doug stated that Pan
American Center has a designated area for smoker’s right outside the
east lobby during special events, further stating that individuals are
not allowed back into the building if they leave to smoke elsewhere.
d. Dolores Bernal from Las Cruces Sun New asked Katrina the following
questions;
1. Is there a need to update the Smoking Policy? Katrina stated that the
current policy does not clearly define what is in practice at NMSU,
further stating that the policy needs to say that there is no smoking in
buildings, state concerns about second hand smoke coming into buildings
through the ventilation system and the distance smokers should stand
away from building entrances.
2. When was the last modification made to the policy? Katrina stated
that she did not know the answer, but to the best of her knowledge it
has not been updated since the Clean Indoor Act was adopted in 1985.
Second reason the policy is being modified is that the building monitors
are asked to enforce the no smoking policy and they may not have been
trained or may not have the authority to ask someone to stop the activity.
3. Is there fines to smoking violators? Katrina stated that there are
fines of $10 up to $25 per violation and that this is in the provision
in the Clean Indoor Act.
4. What are the dollar amounts for fines for those that are not 25 feet
from the door? Katrina said that no fines will be accessed, but this a
disciplinary issue.
5. Who are the building monitors? Katrina stated that building monitors
are different people, there maybe one or two designated per building.
Stating that the functions may be numerous, but mostly liaison for
problems related to the building such as; lights that need to be
replaced, bathroom needing repairs, etc....
6. Who gives the building monitors their responsibilities? It is stated
in the current smoking policy that the building monitor was to enforce
the policy, Katrina said.
e. Comments on the vending machines in building were brought up and
asked to see if they could be the building monitor’s responsibilities.
Linda stated that she contacted Rich MacRorie from Office of Facilities
& Services (OFS) regarding training for monitors. Katrina asked members
representing departments/offices what duties building monitors currently
have in their areas.
f. Katrina asked how members felt about smokeless tobacco. Missy
Giacomelli stated that the smokeless tobacco had been banned from the
Housing areas. Katrina stated that maybe the policy should be named NMSU
Tobacco Policy and not NMSU Smoking Policy.
g. Linda asked if NMSU Policies are enforced for visitors and
contractors. Jose Gamon stated that whoever hires contractors or invites
parties is responsible for informing them of NMSU policies and
procedures. If there are questions or concerns, this should be brought
to the department manager.
h. Missy moved to amend policy with addition/modification(s) to language
to be adopted into the Smoking Policy from Doug Parten and Diana Kovar
regarding smoking areas in the vicinity of Pan Am, Athletic and Corbett
Center. Jaime Marrujo seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
1. Pets on Campus
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 P.M.
Next Safety Committee Meeting is scheduled for the 24th of May 2006 in the New
Library Conference Room #225, from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm.
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