SAFETY ALERT

Recently an incident was reported to the Department of Environmental Health & Safety which requires the attention of everyone on campus. A door mullion fell down and almost hit an employee which could have resulted in serious injury or even death.

A door mullion is the metal device used where double doors are installed and is attached to the door frame at the ceiling and to a steel plate in the floor. The doors close by latching to this device. When properly installed it is secured at the top and bottom. This device weighs at least 50 lbs or more and as stated above could cause serious injury or death depending on how it struck a person.

This is the third such incident in the past year or so. Last spring two incidents occurred and resulted in the establishment of a policy mandating that University Lock and Hardware Services personnel were the only authorized individuals to remove or install the mullions. They installed tamper proof screws in the mullions in most locations to discourage the removal/installation of the mullions by unauthorized individuals. The removal/installation can only be properly completed by using a specialized tool.

The recent incident indicates that this policy is not being followed since Lock and Hardware Services were not notified to remove the mullion that fell. Once removed, it was not properly installed by the individuals who removed it.

It is imperative that you communicate to your department the requirements to have only University Lock and Hardware Services personnel remove and install door mullions. They may not be removed or installed by any other individuals.

Anyone with questions or concerns about this issue should call the DEHS at 8475 or the University Lock and Hardware Services at 2935.