Minutes 07-14-03 MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN
THE FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH,
FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, JULY 14, 2003 AT 10:00 A.M.
Present
Tom Balfe, Chairperson
John Bebensee, Vice Chair
Barbara Madden, Secretary
Mark Bobich
Dominic DeMauro
Eric Falstad
Carisse LeJeune
Brenda LeVant
Chuck Magazine
George Mantell
Glendon Morgan
Barbara Scott
Tim Valentine
Parks
Recreation
City Clerk
Utilities
Finance/Warehouse
Golf Course
City Manager
Communications
Risk Management
Public Works
ITS
Police/Code Compliance
Fire Department
Absent
Mike Rumpf
Dorothy Mack
Bill Coup
Development
Human Resources
Library
I. Call to Order
Chairman Balfe called the meeting to order at 10:06 a.m.
II. Roll Call
The Secretary called the roll and declared that a quorum was present.
II1. Acceptance of Minutes of June 9, 2003 Regular Meeting
Motion
Mr. Magazine moved for approval. Motion seconded by Mr.
unanimously carried.
IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program
Falstad
and
None
Meeting Minutes
Safety Committee Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL
July 14, 2003
V. Old Business
A. Fire Drills
None to report. Division Chief Valentine suggested that Mr. Magazine contact
Deputy Fire Chief Gale to schedule the drills.
B. "Proud to be a Safe Worker" Awards
None
C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings (C. Magazine)
Mr. Magazine will distribute these in the near future.
D. Defensive Driver Course (C. Magazine)
Mr. Magazine reported that he is working with ITS to get the program on line.
Mr. Bobich would like to schedule a traffic control class in Boynton Beach. Mr.
Magazine reported that he has spoken to Glen Fun to get this scheduled.
E. Incident Review Board Referrals
Chairman Balfe reported that there were three IRB referrals. The first one deals
with a Forest and Grounds employee who was stomping down branches, while
standing on the back of a pick-up truck, in order to make room for more
branches. The employee caught his foot on a limb and fell out of the truck,
striking the ground. The employee only received bumps and bruises. Chairman
Balfe recommended that no employee be allowed on the back of a pick-up truck
for the purpose of stomping things down.
Mr. Magazine reported that a similar incident occurred when an employee who
was in the back of a pick-up truck was stabbed with a pitchfork. This was a very
serious injury and the employee could have lost his hand.
Mr. Magazine inquired how many departments could be involved in this type of
situation. Chairman Balfe thought that Parks Department employees could be
performing similar functions. Chairman Balfe said that pick-up trucks should not
be filled to the point where things have to be stomped down to make more room.
Mr. Falstad inquired if the contents in the pick-up truck were secured and
Chairman Balfe stated that they were.
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July 14, 2003
Mr. Magazine inquired where the workers bring the limbs, and Chairman Balfe
stated that the limbs on the back of pick-up trucks would normally be brought to a
State truck or put into a dumpster in the shop.
Mr. Magazine suggested that shredders be used, which would avoid these types
of situations. Chairman Balfe explained that shredders are not used when only
small amounts of branches are involved. The chipper is only used when large
amounts of limbs are involved.
Chairman Balfe would like to have a requirement that employees cannot stomp
down branches and that they should only be allowed to stand on the tailgate to
load the branches. Mr. Magazine stated that if all the limbs could not fit into the
back of a truck, the chipper should be used.
Mr. Magazine inquired what departments this would affect and Chairman Balfe
stated that it would be Forest and Grounds, Parks, Golf Course and Utilities.
Motion
Mr. Magazine moved that the affected departments cease and desist all activities
that include standing inside the pick-up trucks, or any truck, for the purpose of
manually stomping down limbs and debris. Motion seconded by Division Chief
Valentine and unanimously carried.
The second issue deals with lost and damaged radios that were the subject of a
memorandum dated June 21, 2002. A Utilities employee's clip broke on his
hand-held radio and as a result, he carried the radio in his pocket. At some point
the radio fell out and he ran over it with a truck. Mr. Magazine sent out a letter
last year to all department heads informing them that Risk Management will not
reimburse departments for lost or damaged radios. Chairman Balfe reported that
the radios cost $1,100 and he suggested pumhasing cases to protect the radios
or to attach them to clips. The Parks Department has already purchased cases
for their radios.
Mr. Magazine recommended that all Safety Coordinators inform their department
heads that Risk Management will not pay to replace damaged or lost radios and
any radio that needs to be replaced will be borne by that particular department.
Ms. LeVant recommended purchasing the cases because they provide better
protection.
Chairman Balfe noted that the cases cost between $36 to $40 each and if they
were purchased in bulk, he felt that some money could be saved. Ms. LeVant will
check with Motorola to determine the prices. After this is determined, Chairman
Balfe will provide Mr. DeMauro with the stock number for the cases and
suggested that Mr. DeMauro email the number to all Safety Coordinators.
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July 14, 2003
Ms. LeJeune suggested that a memo be sent to all department heads informing
them that Risk Management will not cover lost or broken radios and if any are
lost or damaged, each department will have to replace their own radios.
Motion
Mr. Magazine moved that all Safety Coordinators inform their department heads
that Risk Management will not pay to replace damaged or lost radios and any
radio that needs to be replaced will be borne by that particular department.
Motion seconded by Ms. LeVant and unanimously carried.
The third issue deals with Assistant Fire Marshal Debby Davis. Chairman Balfe
reported that Ms. Davis, who conducts fire inspections and must raise her right
arm for extended periods of time to inspect emergency lights using an aluminum
extension pole, experienced right shoulder pain. The poles are necessary to
reach up and hit the buttons on the emergency lights in order to test them.
Division Chief Valentine reported that Assistant Fire Marshal Davis is looking to
purchase something smaller and lighter. Also, she was instructed not to try to
inspect an entire building with a great deal of lights in one day and to use both
arms. She was also informed to break these inspections up over a period of time
and to bring someone to help her. This information will be disseminated
throughout Fire and Life Safety.
Division Chief Valentine said that there has been discussion about changing the
Code to require that all emergency lights should be on a separate circuit. If this
were the case, when making an inspection, the inspector would only have to turn
the breaker off and all the emergency lights would come on. In the meantime,
staff is looking at ways to minimize the occurrence of this type of injury.
Chairman Balfe suggested that when an inspector is making a fire inspection at a
business, that someone accompany them from that business to assist with
checking the lights. Division Chief Valentine said he would refer this to Deputy
Fire Chief Gale. Since this is a service that the City charges for, Mr. Magazine
suggested that there be a two tier fee system; the first fee would be less if the
inspector were accompanied by the business owner and the second fee would
be much higher if the inspector performed the inspection on their own. This might
provide a financial incentive to have the business owner assist the inspector.
Division Chief Valentine said that he would also refer this to Deputy Fire Chief
Gale. Division Chief Valentine will give a report at the next meeting.
F. Safety Manual
Vice Chair Bebensee said that he sent out copies of the Safety Manual and if any
member had any changes or comments to get them to him as soon as possible
so that he can finalize it.
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Mr. Bobich reported that Mr. Magazine has an ergonomics program on the "S"
Drive and this could be referred to in the Manual. Ms. LeJeune inquired if Mr.
Magazine has been contacted by any departments to give his ergonomics'
program and he said that he has given the program in various departments at
least six or seven times. He will give the program whenever a department
requests it or if he sees a frequency in claims in a particular department.
With regard to the Safety Manual, Mr. Magazine referred to Page 6 under
"Alcoholic Beverages" and on Page 7 under "Drug Abuse," Mr. Magazine
informed Vice Chair Bebensee that these are being reviewed and updated. He is
working with Human Resources in revising these policies for both the APM and
the PPM. As soon as this is finalized, the new wording can be included in the
Safety Manual.
Ms. LeJeune inquired if the City was covered for liability if an employee is tested
for alcohol and the test is negative and this particular employee decides to sue
the City. Mr. Magazine pointed out that the random testing done by the City is
based upon State and Federal Laws and this is not an issue. Further, Mr.
Magazine said that the testing is random and the City has no control over the
selection process, which is done by an outside company.
"Reasonable suspicion" is different from random testing. Ms. LeJeune had
concerns if an employee is suspected of being under the influence of an alcoholic
beverage and transported to the police and that employee tests negative for
alcohol, could this employee sue the City? Mr. Magazine responded that an
employee can sue the City, but the City is covered for this type of incident, as
long as the City follows the proper procedures that coincide with Federal and
State laws. Also, individual supervisors are also protected from lawsuits under
these circumstances.
Mr. Mantell inquired if the random testing was for employees citywide. Mr.
Magazine responded that the random testing is only for DOT drivers. Mr. Mantell
questioned why all employees were not tested and Mr. Magazine responded that
this is a union issue.
VI. New Business
A. Departmental Safety Issues
Mr. Magazine reported that there have been some concerns regarding the
Personal Protective Equipment and what is or is not on the list and what job
requires what equipment. He has updated the list based upon the suggested
changes made at the December 9, 2002 meeting, which he distributed. After
reviewing the list, members suggested changes in eye protection requirements
for the following job descriptions:
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Boynton Beach, FL
July 14, 2003
· Plumber, cutting/grinding (page 7)
· Refrigerant Mechanic, cutting/grinding (page 8)
· Traffic Maintenance, cuffing/grinding (page 11)
· Tree Trimmer, chipping (page 11)
· Carpenter, sawing & sanding (page 1)
· Cement Finisher, dry cement (page 1)
change from Eyl to Ey2
change from Eyl to Ey2
change from Eyl to Ey2
change from Eyl to Ey2
change from Eyl to Ey2
change from Eyl to Ey2
Division Chief Valentine noted that his Department has changed to a nitrile glove,
because latex gloves are ineffective against Bacillus anthracis spores. Mr.
Magazine suggested that on page 14, under gloves, it be changed to "nitrile."
Ms. LeJeune noted that employees who opened the mail were told that by
wearing latex gloves they would be protected from contacting anthrax. Mr.
Magazine stated that this information was issued by the Post Office. Division
Chief Valentine displayed a pair of nitrile gloves, and Mr. Magazine said that he
would update this policy.
· Chemical Sprayer, basic (page 1)
· Aquatic Spray, basic (page 1)
· Custodian, basic (page 2)
· Electrician, overhead work (page 3)
· Electrician, cutting (page 3)
change from Eyl to Ey2
change from Eyl to Ey2
add Hn3
change to Eyl
add Hnl
Because of all the changes, it was agreed to table this item. Mr. Bobich said that
he had prepared a job hazard analysis for Utilities and offered to bring it to the
next meeting. Mr. Magazine requested that the item be added to the August
agenda for review and finalizing.
B. Other
Mr. DeMauro displayed the new sunglasses for the lifeguards for members to
review. The cost is $39 per pair. Mr. DeMauro explained that these are the
same glasses that are being offered by other cities to their lifeguards. Chairman
Bebensee said that the glasses needed to be polarized in order to see items in
the water. The City's Medical Director is recommending that the lifeguards be
equipped with 100% UV polarized lenses, which are the sunglasses that Mr.
DeMauro brought. Vice Chair Bebensee felt that the sunglasses would be
adequate and offered protection on the sides as well. The only concern he had
with the glasses is that plastic lenses scratch more easily than glass.
Mr. DeMauro did not think that they could find any glasses that would be less
expensive than the ones he presented. Vice Chair Bebensee said that some of
the lifeguards probably would purchase their own. Mr. Magazine pointed out that
if a lifeguard chose to purchase his own sunglasses, they would have to meet the
safety standards established by this Committee. The standard would be 100%
UV protection, plus polarization, and that the sides of the glasses be closed in.
Meeting Minutes
Safety Committee Meeting
Boynton Beach, FL
July 14, 2003
Vice Chair Bebensee said that he would bring the sunglasses to the Beach and
ask the lifeguards for their opinion of the sunglasses. He will report back his
findings at the next meeting. Chairman Balfe suggested that the item be tabled
until the August meeting.
VI. Announcements
None
VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, August 11, 2003 at 10:00 a.m.
IX. Adjournment
Thero being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara M. Madden
Recording Secretary
(July 16, 2003)
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