Minutes 10-14-02MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE
FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA,
ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2002 AT 10:00 A.M.
Present
Tom Balfe, Chairman
John Bebensee, Vice Chair
Mark Bobich
Dominic DeMauro
Eric Falstad
Brenda LeVant (arrived at 10:25)
Dorothy Mack
Barbara Madden, Secretary
Chuck Magazine
George Mantell
Glendon Morgan
John Richards
Mike Rumpf
Barbara Scott
Tim Valentine
Carisse Weise
Parks
Recreation
Utilities
Finance/Warehouse
Golf Course
Communications
HRS
City Clerk
Risk Management
Public Works
Info. Tech. Services
Utilities/WWTP
Development
Police
Fire/EMS
City Manager
Absent
Bill Coup Library
I. Call to Order
Chairman Balfe called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.
II. Roll Call
The Secretary called the roll and declared that a quorum was present.
Vice Chair Bebensee introduced Charlie Crawford, the alternate member from
Recreation, and Alan Corscadden, an Intern with the Recreation Department.
III. Acceptance of Minutes of September 9, 2002 Regular Meeting
Mr. Magazine noted that on Page 4, the correct spelling for Paul "Viola" is
"Viollis". There were no other additions or corrections.
Meeting Minutes
Safety Committee Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL
October 14, 2002
Motion
Mr. Magazine moved to approve the minutes, as amended. Motion seconded by
Ms. Weise and unanimously carried.
IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program
None
V. Old Business
A. Fire Drills (Tim Valentine)
Mr. Magazine reported that the alarm went off in City Hall this morning due to a
dirty smoke detector. Facilities will be replacing it.
VI. "Proud to be a Safe Worker" Awards
None
A. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings (Magazine)
Mr. Magazine distributed updated matrixes of the Departmental Safety Meetings
and Inspections through September 2002.
B. Defensive Driver Course (Magazine)
The course continues to be offered and is mandatory. Anyone wanting to set up
an appointment should contact Risk Management.
C. Incident Review Board Referrals (Magazine)
Mr. Magazine reported that an employee was injured while assisting with the off-
loading of heavy equipment. The employee was on the truck itself when the
injury occurred.
Mr. DeMauro reported that no City employee should enter anyone else's truck
whatsoever. All deliveries to the City are f.o.b. Boynton Beach. This means that
it is the shipper's responsibility to bring the merchandise to the back of the truck
so that it could be off-loaded with a forklift or any other type machinery as
required. City employees are not to go onto a truck. If an employee is injured, it
is the carrier's responsibility because it is the carrier's equipment.
Mr. Bobich inquired how this would be handled if the driver of the vehicle could
not speak English. Mr. DeMauro noted in this case that the shipment should be
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Meeting Minutes
Safety Committee Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL
October 14, 2002
refused if the driver cannot communicate. It is the vendor's responsibility to ship
the equipment and get it off-loaded. It is also the driver's responsibility to attach
the straps if they are necessary. Mr. DeMauro also stated that all deliveries
should be directed to the Warehouse.
Mr. Bobich requested that this be put in writing. Mr. Magazine said he would
work on this and bring something back to the Committee at the next meeting.
Ms. Weise inquired where the incident occurred and Mr. Bobich stated that it
occurred at Lift Station #415 located at SW 6th Avenue and 3rd Street.
D. Wellness Program (Magazine)
Mr. Magazine stated that he is working on getting the program on-board. Mr.
Rumpf suggested that the item be removed from the agenda. Mr. Magazine said
he should have something to report next month.
VII. New Business
A. Departmental Safety Issues
Mr. Bebensee stated that he was in the stairwell when the fire alarms went off.
He inquired if it were possible to lower the decibels, which are ear piercing. Mr.
Magazine said that this is present by the manufacturer.
Ms. Madden inquired when the flu shots would be offered? Ms. Mack stated that
Ms. Cheek is working on this and they should be scheduled shortly at no cost for
employees.
Mr. Richards reported that recently he had an air conditioner installed in his
house by a licensed contractor and when the City Inspector came to his house to
inspect the installation, he broke the ladder. The ladder clearly stated that it had
a 200-pound maximum and the Inspector was over the weight limit. Mr.
Magazine stated that it is the responsibility of the property owner to make sure
that the proper equipment is available when their property is being inspected. If
the Inspector had been injured, the property owner would have been liable.
Ms. Weise questioned this reasoning because the ladder was clearly marked
200-pound maximum. Mr. Richards responded that his claim to have the ladder
replaced by the City was denied and as a result, he will have to spend $70 for a
new ladder. Mr. Bebensee asked why the Inspectors did not bring their own
ladders to avoid these types of situations.
Mr. Richards inquired why he had to have the air conditioner inspected since a
licensed contractor installed it. Mr. Rumpf responded that the City Code requires
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Meeting Minutes
Safety Committee Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL
October 14, 2002
that a City Inspector must inspect these kinds of installations. Mr. Rumpf thought
that some Inspectors used to carry their own ladders. He will speak with Don
Johnson, the Building Official, regarding their policy on this.
Mr. DeMauro inquired if homeowners were informed that they are responsible if
an Inspector is injured on their property when they are present to inspect their
homes. Mr. Richards stated that he was not made aware of this. Members felt
that the City Inspectors should provide their own ladders to avoid these kinds of
incidences. Mr. Magazine pointed out that the Inspectors use their own vehicles
and putting a City ladder on a personal vehicle could also cause other kinds of
issues.
Mr. Bobich stated that he had a safety video on ladders, which he will bring to the
next meeting for viewing. Ms. Weise said that a policy needs to be written
regarding ladders. Mr. Magazine would like to discuss this with the Building
Division to determine their policy on ladders. Captain Valentine noted that the
Fire Department only uses fire service ladders that meet certain standards. They
never use anyone else's ladder and their ladders are tested every year. The Fire
Department ladders have a mi~mum weight of 350 pounds and he
recommended that the Building Inspectors use these types of ladders.
Captain Valentine felt that the homeowner should be reimbursed for the ladder
that was broken by the Building Inspector. Mr. Bobich recommended that the
City reimburse Mr. Richards for his broken ladder. Mr. Magazine stated that he
would take this request under advisement.
Captain Valentine will furnish Risk Management with information regarding
portable ladders. Captain Valentine said that he would also be willing to give a
class on ladders.
B. Other:
None
VII. Announcements
None
VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, November 18, 2002 at 10:00 a.m.
Chairman Balfe noted that the November meeting date was stated incorrectly on
the agenda. The November meeting will be held on Monday, November 18,
2002.
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Meeting Minutes
Safety Committee Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL
October 14, 2002
Mr. Bobich said that he was glad to be back on the Safety Committee and was
pleased that there was a representative from the City Manager's Office on the
Committee. Mr. Magazine announced that Mr. Bobich was selected as the
Environmental Safety Coordinator for the Utilities Department.
IX. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 10:45
a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara M. Madden
Recording Secretary
(one tape)
(October 16, 2002)
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