The meeting commenced at 2:35 p.m.
VPP Application and Awareness Campaign
Vern Madson reported that DOE-RL loves the electronic application. RL performed some onsite interviews with PNNL staff and found that the program has some weaknesses within PNNL. We are getting ready to launch our awareness campaign, with the ice scrapers, badge cards, and letter. Vern reported that the envelopes are prelabeled and ready. Vern called for volunteers to meet on Tuesday, November 14 at the Annex to stuff envelopes.
We also plan to have the Associate Laboratory Directors send staff a letter in support of VPP. Vern will be attending the Resource Managers Saety Meeting to communicate and answer questions about VPP. In the same vein, Todd Hart will be attending the IOPS meetings and talking to Operations Managers. The committee plans to develop a slideshow presentation for all to use so that staff hear the same thing.
Communications Improvements
Vern reported that in order to make staff more aware of VPP, we will be developing a newsletter called the Porcelain Press. Based on a concept borrowed from INEEL and Pantex, this newsletter will be posted in bathroom stalls and online to keep staff updated on VPP events. Postings will occur either once or twice a month. The janitors will be responsible for changing the newsletters in the bathrooms. Mary Ann Showalter and Drue Collins are the points of contact for the committee, which will also consist of Russ Meicenheimer, Jeanie Dixon, Janice Haney, Nancy Isern, and Elwood Lepel. Vern will talk to Juan Alvarez to obtain permission for posting the newsletter holders.
Safety Concerns and Suggestions Website
Nancy is working on implementing a Safety Concerns system of our own so that staff can have a vehicle for raising safety concerns and so we can track trends and data. Todd will try to contact Potlatch for information on their system. Nancy expressed concern that R&D staff might not use the website and that we might hesitate to spend time and money on something that may not be used. Nancy is the point of contact, and will discuss this vehicle further with Todd and Jeanie to determine if the website is of value.
John Reck voiced his opinion that we need to personally talk to staff to convey the message of safety. He suggested we put on a safety fair in the auditorium. John Reck is the point of contact, and he will discuss this idea further with Nancy, Jeanie, and Janice.
ISM Conference
This conference will be held December 5 and 6 at the Pasco Doubletree Hotel. Vern will try to get the bargaining unit staff released to attend.
