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Minutes 06-09-03MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2003 AT 10:00 A.M. Present Tom Balfe, Chairperson Charlie Crawford Barbara Madden, Secretary Valerie Moats Don Johnson Dominic Demauro Bob Borden Eric Falstad Dorothy Mack Glendon Morgan Bill Coup Barbara Scott Glenda Hall Chuck Magazine Mark Bobich Absent Parks Recreation City Clerk City Manager Development Finance/Warehouse Fire Department Golf Course Human Resources ITS Library Police/Code Compliance Public Works Risk Management Utilities Brenda Levant Communications I. Call to Order Chairman Balfe called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. II. Roll Call The Secretary called the roll and declared that a quorum was present. III. Acceptance of Minutes of May 12, 2003 Regular Meeting Chairman Balfe pointed out that the minutes listed Dorothy Mack as both present and absent. Ms. Mack stated she was not present at the May meeting. Chairman Balfe requested that the minutes be corrected accordingly. The minutes were accepted, as amended, and placed on file. Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, FL June 9, 2003 IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program A. A representative from Ritz Safety will be showing the Committee various styles of safety gloves. Kim Huggins and Peter Merkl were present from Ritz Safety. Mr. Demauro presented the gloves that the Warehouse is currently stocking and Mr. Merkl distributed a variety of gloves for members to examine and discuss. Mr. Demauro pointed out that the Committee was charged with selecting gloves today that would be stocked in the Warehouse. The gloves would be suitable for various jobs, such as sanitation workers, tree trimmers, mechanics and heavy equipment operators. Mr. Bobich requested that one of the gloves offered should have padding for the knuckles. He also requested that the model being shown in black be offered in a brighter color. Mr. Merkl said he would check into the colors available. Mr. Merkl also distributed a new type of glove called "Nitrile" that is cut -resistant and comes in various weights. He pointed out that this glove is made of good gripping material and is more suitable for lifting, but is also snug enough that small objects could be picked up. Ms. Hall questioned if these gloves would be too hot when worn for a long period of time. Mr. Merkl stated that the manufacturer sanitizes the coated gloves. Also, the Nitrile gloves will last a great deal longer than leather gloves. He pointed out that it is not advantageous to have gloves that would have any kind of straps hanging from the glove because that type of glove would no longer meet ANSI standards. Mr. Demauro explained that the gloves selected today would be the only gloves stocked in the Warehouse. Ms. Hall requested that the gloves be available in smaller sizes to accommodate workers with small hands. Mr. Demauro stated that it was necessary that the sanitation workers remain with the leather palm gloves because they go through dozens of gloves. Chairman Balfe noted that some of the sanitation workers wear two pairs of gloves to protect themselves from punctures and to keep the liquid from the trash getting onto their hands. Mr. Merkl stated that the Nitrile glove would eliminate having to wear two gloves because those gloves would serve both purposes. Chairman Balfe would like the Committee to take into consideration what the workers in their Departments would like for a glove and then to make their selection based upon that. P; Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, FL June 9, 2003 The following gloves were selected: (1) MEM -1440 Leather Palm (for visibility) - Under $1.00/each (2) *VAL-GMFS Mechanics (for shop workers) RED or brightest color available) - Under $12.00/each (3) MEM -9683 Nitrile (Ultra Tech) (Gray) -Approximately $2.00/each (4) Double dot string net - 69¢ each Chairman Balfe requested that Mr. Merkl determine if there were another glove available that would be similar to the VAL-GMFS glove, but with more knuckle protection in a bright color at the same or at a lower price. *A sub -committee will make the final decision whether to order the VAL- GMFS in red or to select an alternate glove with more knuckle protection at approximately the same price. There was a consensus among the members to accept the gloves with the exception of the VAL-GMFS glove in black. As stated above, a subcommittee will look at other gloves that offer more knuckle protection and come in a bright color. The subcommittee will then determine whether to remain with the VAL- GMFS or select another glove. Mr. Magazine reminded members that if an employee purchases gloves on their own, they would not be reimbursed by the City. If an employee chooses to purchase his own gloves, they must be approved to ensure that the gloves meet ANSI standards. Also, employees are prohibited from purchasing gloves on a City credit card. V. Old Business None A. Fire Drills B. "Proud to be a Safe Worker" Awards Deputy Fire Marshal Borden nominated Joe Patrick of the Department of Development for a Proud to be a Safe Worker Award. Mr. Patrick was commended for recognizing during an inspection that a technician's ladder was not in a safe position for performing a duct detector test for a new air conditioning unit. Mr. Patrick informed the technician about the improper positioning of the ladder and suggested a better way. Deputy Fire Marshal Borden read the award into the record, which is on file with the original minutes of the meeting. Mr. Johnson will present the award to Mr. Patrick. 3 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, FL C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings Mr. Magazine will e-mail the reports. D. Defensive Drive Course June 9, 2003 Mr. Magazine reported that they are still working with the ITS Department on the program and he should have something to report at the next meeting. Ms. Hall inquired whether new employees are allowed to drive City vehicles if they have not taken the Defensive Driver Course. Mr. Magazine pointed out that every employee who drives a City vehicle is mandated to take the course, but there is no time limit. If an employee comes onboard and needs to drive a City vehicle, they should be permitted to do their job. He noted that when people are hired, HR checks their driving record through the DMV. E. Incident Review Board Referrals None VI. New Business None A. Departmental Safety Issues B. Other 1. Safety Glasses Chairman Balfe noted that at the last meeting members were asked to come up with a recommendation for safety glasses and whether there should be a time limit when employees would be allowed to replace the old glasses with the new glasses. Mr. Johnson requested that his employees be permitted to wear the safety glasses that they have, since they meet safety standards. He did not include purchasing new glasses in his budget and has extra glasses in his office that he would like to use. Mr. Demauro responded that the old style glasses are no longer being stocked in the Warehouse. Chairman Balfe pointed out that the new style glasses are only $1.00 more than the old style glasses. Mr. Demauro thought that the old glasses could be worn until they break, at which time new ones would have to be ordered. 4 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, FL June 9, 2003 Motion Mr. Johnson moved that employees of Departments that still have the old style safety glasses will be allowed to wear them until they need to be replaced, and the replacement glasses will be the new style glasses approved by the Safety Committee. Motion seconded by Mr. Bobich. Mr. Magazine suggested putting a time limit on returning the old glasses. Chairman Balfe pointed out that the old style glasses are not anti -fog and do not provide the extra protection that the new glasses do. Ms. Hall recommended that all glasses must be turned in by November 1, 2003. Mr. Johnson was requested to turn in the old style glasses that have not been worn so that he could receive credit for them. Mr. Johnson amended his motion to state that all old style glasses must be turned in by November 1, 2003. Mr. Bobich seconded the amended motion that unanimously carried. Mr. Demauro noted that the lifeguards requested that the City supply them with U.V. sunglasses. Mr. Magazine and Vice Chair Bebensee are looking into this. 2. Mr. Magazine announced that due to budget constraints, the safety consultant would not be coming onboard as anticipated. He pointed out that the City's Worker's Compensation rating with the State has gone up. The mean State basis is 1.0, where similar municipalities throughout the State are compared. Anything above 1.0 is worse and anything below 1.0 is good. Two years ago the City was at .67 and last year at .83, both of which are good. However, the City is now at 1.01, which means that the City needs to improve its rating by cutting down on its claims. Mr. Falstad felt that this was attributable to Departments not holding regular safety meetings and inspections and Mr. Magazine concurred. Mr. Magazine will be meeting with all Safety Coordinators on an individual basis. Mr. Magazine explained where Risk Management receives funds to pay for claims and insurance. He noted that the City is self-insured, which means the City is liable for claims for general liability and auto liability up to the statutory amount of $100,000 per incident. Anything over $100,000 would go to the insurance carrier and the cost of the excess coverage has continued to increase every year. Currently Risk Management is funded from the General Fund, but Mr. Magazine is recommending that each Department should fund Risk Management. He 5 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, FL June 9, 2003 pointed out that this would not occur this year, but the possibility exists that it could occur in the near future. Every time there is a claim against the City, it costs the City money. Risk Management's budget is $2.5 million. He has broken down the costs by Departments. Each Department would be responsible for their portion of 25% of the cost of the excess insurance and the remaining 75% would be allocated among all Departments in proportion to their claims' history. Also, each Department will be charged proportionately for administrative costs. Using the formula as an example, Mr. Magazine pointed out that Utilities would be responsible for $497,000. By industry standards, this cost is very low. If the Utilities Department decided to get their own insurance it could cost upwards of $1.5 million to $2 million; Public Works would pay $323,000; Police $486,000; Golf Course $88,000; and Library $47,000. Mr. Magazine pointed out that the position of Safety Coordinator is going to have to step up a notch, and it is imperative that all claims be reduced. He intends to attend Departmental safety meetings and training sessions to determine each Department's needs. Mr. Magazine stressed that supervisors must be held accountable for the actions of their employees and one of their responsibilities is to protect their employees. VII. Announcements Mr. Bobich reported that some employees in his Department were discovered not wearing their vests. Since the City will be undergoing a tremendous amount of construction in the next few years, it is very important for people out in the roadways and streets to wear their vests and hard hats. He suggested that all applicable Departments have extra vests and hard hats on hand. Mr. Bobich also noted that there are classes available for traffic control and there are four classes scheduled for June and July. The course is a two-day certification course. Mr. Magazine noted that over 20 people from the City have taken this course, which should be taken by Police and Fire personnel as well. Mr. Bobich also reminded members that hurricane season is here and recommended that each Department go over their plans and ensure that they have a sufficient supplies and equipment. Finally, school is closed and everyone should watch out for children. Mr. Magazine pointed out that it is very hot out and employees working outdoors should have a plentiful supply of drinks available and Gatorade and other drinks are stocked through the Warehouse. He stated that it is the supervisor's responsibility to make certain that an employee does not stay out in the sun too Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, FL June 9, 2003 long and drinks plenty of fluids. Ms. Hall pointed out that they supply coolers, Gatorade and ice for their employees, and it is the crew leader and the crew's responsibility to ensure that they have their supplies before they exit the yard. Mr. Johnson inquired if Departments are supposed to supply sunscreen for their employees. Mr. Demauro noted that the Warehouse stocks sunscreen, but it is not mandatory that a Department supply sunscreen for employees that work outdoors. VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, July 14, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. IX. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting properly adjourned at 11:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted, ti -V - Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes) (June 9, 2003) 7