Loading...
Minutes 02-10-03MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, CITY HALL, 100 EAST BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2003 AT 10:00 A.M. Present Tom Balfe, Chairman John Bebensee, Vice Chair Mark Bobich Bill Coup Michael Dauta Eric Falstad Glenda Hall Brenda LeVant Barbara Madden, Secretary Chuck Magazine Glendon Morgan Barbara Scott Tim Valentine Carisse Weise Parks Recreation Utilities Library FinanceNVarehouse Golf Course Public Works Communications City Clerk Risk Management Info. Tech. Services Police Fire/EMS City Manager Absent Mike Rumpf Dorothy Mack Development Human Resources 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. Motion II1. Acceptance of Minutes of January 13, 2003 Regular Meeting Mr. Falstad inquired if the safety glasses were going to be replaced. Chairman Balfe explained that any unused, older glasses should be turned into the Warehouse and exchanged for the new ones. All departments should now be placing their order for the new safety glasses. Mr. Dauta reported that only the Utilities Department has ordered the new style glasses. Mr. Magazine noted that Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, FL January 13, 2003 March is "Worker Eye Safety Month." This information will be dispersed to all departments and there will be a proclamation read at one of the Commission meetings. Motion Mr. Magazine moved to approve the minutes. Motion seconded by Mr. Coup and unanimously carried. IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program None V. Old Business A. Fire Drills None to report B. "Proud to be a Safe Worker" Awards None C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings (C. Magazine) Mr. Magazine noted that all members received a matrix for the year 2002 that compared incidents with the years 2000 and 2001. Also the report contained the number of safety inspections and meetings held by each department and departmental attendance at safety committee meetings. Mr. Magazine reminded members that the Municipal Self-Inspection Guide is available on the sharedrive and should be used for departmental inspections. D. Defensive Driver Course (C. Magazine) Mr. Magazine reported that they have ordered an updated version, which should be available in March. E. Incident Review Board Referrals (C. Magazine) Mr. Magazine stated that there were three referrals. The first one deals with continuing problems with the gate at the East Water Treatment Plant. On many occasions the gates were closing before the vehicles were cleared, thus causing damage to the vehicles. 2 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, FL January 13, 2003 VI. Mr. Bobich concurred that this has been a problem for approximately one and one-half years. Last week a sensor was installed on the Seacrest gate to keep it from closing and causing damage to vehicles. Also, six signs are being installed today, one on each side of the three gates, warning drivers not to block the gates. Although the Seacrest side gate was the only gate that was actually causing the problems, signs are being posted at all three gates. A paramedic, when reaching into a medical box, sliced his finger on an unshielded prep razor. Division Chief Valentine reported that he spoke with the EMS Coordinator and from that point forward all prep razors will be kept in a cardboard container to prevent injuries. The third item deals with continuing problems for emergency vehicles gaining access through entrances to communities throughout the City. Division Chief Valentine pointed out that the vehicles are getting bigger and taller and no longer fit through some of the older community gates. Mr. Magazine inquired if this was something that the Building Department could assist with. Mr. Magazine suggested that the Fire Department, Building Division and Code Division survey all the communities in the City to determine which ones cannot accommodate all City emergency and fire vehicles. Mr. Magazine suggested that it might be in order to change the code so that the communities can meet the necessary requirements for emergency vehicles. Chairman Balfe inquired if the Fire Department had to sign off on all new development and was informed that they did. However, this does not cover the older communities. Division Chief Valentine will speak with the proper personnel to determine what the requirements are for egress and ingress for fire and life safety vehicles for new construction. Ms. Weise noted that any new ordinances that are necessary should be done by the Building Division and suggested that Division Chief Valentine contact Ms. Nancy Byrne in the Development Department for assistance. New Business A. Departmental Safety Issues 3 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, FL January 13, 2003 Mr. Magazine reported that on a previous Saturday night he noticed a large hole at pump station #317, which is located next to Burger King on Boynton Beach Boulevard, west of Congress Avenue. Mr. Magazine notified utilities and they sent a crew to secure the area temporarily. On Sunday a fence was placed around the area. The hole was 10' x 15' deep and if anyone fell into it, there could have been serious injuries. Mr. Magazine said that it is important that when employees are out and about the community and notice a safety hazard it is important that to notify someone immediately so that the situation could be dealt with. Division Chief Valentine reported that the Fire Department has a trench rescue team. He explained that a trench is anything that is deeper than 5'. He explained the dangers of a person being stuck in a trench and that it could be fatal if the sand caved in on that person. Mr. Bobich also pointed out that it is important when calling 911 to give them as much information as possible so that the appropriate rescue team can respond. Ms. LeVant stated that Communications does not have an SOP for trenches. Division Chief Valentine pointed out that if the situation involved a trench, they must be notified so that they could send the appropriate equipment. Ms. LeVant requested that they be furnished with an SOP so that the operators will know what to do before they respond. Mr. Bobich also pointed out that all safety hazards should be reported and not just something that exists on City property. B. Other Ms. Weise pointed out the dangerous situations that are created by police vehicles that park in the City garage, especially on the first covered level. Some police officers are parking their vehicles side by side in opposite directions. A vehicle coming down the ramp is forced to stop and wait for them to move their vehicles. These types of situations cause accidents. Previously Chief Gage and Chief Immler were notified by the Safety Committee of this situation, but it has surfaced again. Ms. Weise requested that a member of the Safety Committee send a memo to Chief Gage and Chief Immler with a copy to the City Manager apprising them of this situation. Mr. Magazine pointed out that this could be avoided if the police pulled into an open space and carried their equipment from one car to the other instead of blocking the aisles. Ms. Weise felt that this was a courtesy issue and requested that it be addressed through the proper channels. Mr. Magazine will work with Chairman Balfe to prepare the appropriate letter. Mr. Magazine requested that all Departments that own and/or operate large pieces of equipment and machinery should check to make sure that the department knows where the equipment is at all times. Mr. Magazine referred to a newspaper article that appeared recently dealing with some missing 4 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, FL January 13, 2003 generators. He requested that departments regularly perform inventories in order to track their equipment and machinery. He also noted that the City has a policy regarding how to deal with the press. Ms. Weise noted that whenever the media calls and asks questions, they must be referred to Wayne Segal, the Public Affairs Director, at 742-6025. Ms. Madden questioned why the City does not have an inventory control policy. She pointed out that all equipment, furniture and machinery have a bar code for identification, but unless an inventory is done on a routine basis, this makes no sense. She also pointed out that there are bar code readers available for this purpose. Ms. Weise pointed out that the Warehouse has taken over control of the inventory of Utilities and felt doing an inventory of all the departments would be very burdensome for one department. Ms. Madden pointed out that a person in every department could be designated to perform an inventory once a year to track their own department's equipment. This is a practice that is done by the County and many other municipalities. Mr. Magazine said that he would speak to Ms. Reese about this. Mr. Magazine reported that the Fire Department made an inquiry regarding the Presidential Smallpox Vaccination Program. They wanted to know that if the first responders for the City who receive the vaccine become ill from any side effects would they be covered by worker's compensation. Mr. Magazine stated that The Homeland Security Act provides that the Federal Government will be handling these claims. He also pointed out that this is voluntary program. The State of Florida and the County have notified their employees that they will not be covered under worker's compensation, nor will City employees. Ms. Weise inquired if the City has the proper forms for submitting claims and Mr. Magazine stated that they have not received any as of this date. Mr. Magazine said that all questions could be answered on the Internet at www.cdc..qov. There is also a hotline to call at 888-246-2675. Mr. Magazine has supplied this information to both Chief Gage and Chief Bingham. He further stated that he would put the information that he received from CDC on the sharedata drive. It was discovered during a first responder class, that the first aid kits in one department were inadequate. Mr. Dauta brought to the meeting the first aid kits and the refills that are stocked at the Warehouse. Mr. Magazine requested that Mr. Dauta prepare an inventory list of what the first aid kit contained so that departments will know what they should have. Mr. Magazine suggested that the first aid kits be inspected on a regular basis during departmental safety inspections. Vice Chair Bebensee pointed out that a first responder is considerably more advanced and is trained to deliver a certain standard of care. Mr. Magazine 5 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, FL January 13, 2003 requested that Vice Chair Bebensee meet with the Warehouse to determine what needs to be in a first responder kit versus a first aid kit. If certain City facilities have a person trained as a first responder, it is important that the facility have the proper first aid equipment. Also, Mr. Magazine requested that members check their first aid kits to make sure they have everything that is supposed to be in the kit. Ms. Hall reported that her department checks their first aid kits monthly to make sure they have the proper supplies. Vice Chair Bebensee inquired who would be paying for the smallpox vaccine and was informed that the County will be dispensing it. Mr. Magazine would like a list of supplies for a minimum first aid kit requirement available somewhere on the City's computer system. Ms. Weise suggested modifying the safety inspection form on the share drive to add a place for a first aid kit. Mr. Magazine will check into this. Ms. Weise reported that the Security Committee has reconvened to revisit and update the City Hall security APM. It is now being referred to, as "City Hall Control Access" and an escort policy will be adopted for City Hall and the West Wing. Each department will be required to designate an employee-escort. Proximity cards will no longer be handed out to visitors to allow them free access to secured areas in City Hall. The employee-escort will be required to escort all visitors in and out of their office to the front desk. As soon as the City Manager approves the policy draft, Ms. Weise will furnish a copy to members. Mr. Coup inquired how this would apply to employees who do not work in the City Hall Complex. Ms. Weise said that there will be a separate process for those employees when coming to City Hall, but they will not have to be escorted. Mr. Magazine requested that employees who frequently are required to come to City Hall by their department should obtain a Proximity card. Ms. Weise also requested that departments list the repairmen and vendors that frequent their departments in order to have that list pre-registered. There will be a procedure for this category of visitors as well. All employees coming to City Hall must have their badges displayed in clear view, otherwise they will not be granted access. Any City employee who is in the restricted access area not displaying their photo i.d. will be reported to their department director. All areas behind the front desk are restricted areas. Ms. Weise stated that when the policy is distributed, there will be a memo attached to it highlighting the salient points. She also noted that it will be every employee's responsibility that if they see someone walking through the halls that they do not know and is not displaying a visitor badge or employee i.d. to stop that person and ask them who they are and why they are in City Hall. 6 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Meeting Boynton Beach, FL January 13, 2003 Ms. Weise further announced that all visiting employees will be expected to check in at the front desk and must leave their driver's license and present the proper i.d. At that time the employee will receive a special employee visitor pass that must be visibly worn. When that employee leaves, they should turn in their visitor pass and pick up their driver's license. VII. Announcements Mr. Magazine announced that he would be bringing the new Safety Consultant to the March meeting. Chairman Balfe announced that Vicki Rogerson has prepared a list of the Safety Committee Members that is available on the distribution list in Outlook. VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, March 10, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. IX. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 11:10 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tape) (February 10 2003) 7