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Minutes 04-10-06 Minutes of the Safety Committee Regular Meeting April 10, 2006 at 10:00 A.M., Fire/Police Training Room, Boynton Beach City Hall, Boynton Beach, Florida Present: Mark Bobich, Chairman Church Magazine, Vice Chairman Catherine Cherry-Guberman Les Rogers Chris Mitchell Hoyt Johnson Mike Landress Eric Falstad Glendon Morgan Barbara Scott Tim Calhoun John Bebensee Craig Clark Regenia Scott Danielle Crissinger Utilities Risk Management City Clerk Communications Development Finance/Warehouse Fire/EMS Golf Course ITS/GIS Police Public Works Recreation and Parks Library City Manager Human Resources Absent: Frantz LaFontant Engineering 1. Call to Order Chairman Bobich called the meeting to order at 10:12 A.M. 2. Approval of March, 2006 Meeting Minutes Chairman Bobich requested the addition on page 2, under Unfinished Business, that Utilities liked the inspection form. Motion A motion was made by Mr. Magazine, and seconded by Ms. Barbara Scott to approve the minutes as amended. A vote was taken and unanimously carried. 3. AED Mr. Landress gave a demonstration on how the equipment should be checked. Most notably check for outward damage, make sure the defibrillator pads have not expired and the window the battery is current. The batteries last about two to three years. If the machine is in the trunk of a car, the heat can reduce the life span of the battery by about a year. The window must say okay. I there is a red cell, call Mr. Landress at extension 6337. Mr. Landress Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, Florida April 10, 2006 demonstrated how to replace the battery. New batteries can be obtained from the warehouse from Mike Dauta. He explained there are new guidelines for Heartsavers AED coming out, and users need to be re-certified. For those needing to be re-certified it was recommended waiting until the new classes are offered. This should occur in June. Mr. Clark inquired about obtaining defibrillators at the Library. Mr. Magazine urged members to include the inspection of the defibrillators on their monthly inspection sheets. Lightening Detection Mr. Bebensee obtained the lightening detection handheld model and there have been no problems with it. In the past, there has been radio interference from Ocean Ridge but they changed their communications and there is no longer any interference. Mr. Magazine will send out an e-mail so all departments can obtain the same system. The unit uses two nine-volt batteries and has a charge port on the side. A reasonable standard to use with lightening is the 30/30 rule which is when you hear thunder within 30 seconds of a lightening flash, the storm is about six miles away. The unit has an alarm at 3-8 miles and 8-20 miles. Mr. Bebensee explained he did not want to notify individuals of the lightening hazard at three miles, but it is problematic to try and close down a beach at 20 miles. He presently is coordinating the unit with what's going on around them. There was discussion about contacting other municipalities to determine what their guidelines and rules are. Talking with the Golf Course and the Recreation and Parks Department staff to develop uniform guidelines might be beneficial. The liability of lightening strikes was discussed. The public assumes a certain amount of risk for themselves, and some members of the public leave on their own volition, but if they think staff will come around and warn them of the incoming storms, the staff may give the public a false sense of security. The City's responsibility is to show they acted in good faith. Part of the problem with this issue is it takes time to evacuate the public. The need for a uniform policy and having an audible aiarm was discussed. At present, staff warns individuals of storm activity. It was noted that after hours or when staff is not present, there is risk. The handheld detection unit cannot be hooked into an alarm. Mr. Bebensee suggested investigating grants to obtain additional devices to distribute to golfers. Mr. Magazine noted the Thorguard system is the only fail-safe system, but the system is $15,000. Having appropriate departments receive information via fax, which could indicate storm speed and direction was suggested. The need for a City-wide policy will be discussed at the next meeting under "Unfinished Business". V. Unfinished Business A. Fire Drills. Chairman Bobich spoke about fire drills and having fire drill training. Mr. Magazine indicated Mr. Nugent spoke about having a fire evacuation video prior to an unannounced fire drill. It was thought it would be a good idea to contact Fire Safety Inspectors for the next meeting. 2 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, Florida April 10, 2006 The video was a short video and the fire inspector can come in and present the essentials of a successful fire evacuation. B. Proud to be a Safe Worker Awards There were no comments received on this item. C. Departmental Inspections and Safety Meetings Mr. Magazine indicated the Department Inspection Spreadsheet should be on the shared drive. D. Defensive Driving Course Mr. Magazine announced the Defensive Driving courses are still being offered. If there are individuals who need to take the course, it was requested they contact his office to set up the training course. The Certificate of Completion gets turned into Human Resources. E. Incident Review Board Referrals There were no referrals. VI. New Business A. Departmental Safety Issues Mr. Calhoun reported there would be no smoking in city vehicles or cell phone use. He indicated the Administrative Policy Manual (AMP) addresses cell phone use. Two-way radios are much louder than cell phones and were not perceived in the same way as a cell phone. The current safety policy specifies headsets, CD players, etc., cannot be used. B. Departmental Safety Footwear Approvals. There was discussion on the Personal Protective Equipment Policy (PPE). Mr. Magazine expressed his understanding the City would purchase the shoes. Only individuals on the list are authorized to wear the shoes. Mr. Magazine and the committee reviewed the handouts and a discussion on the affected employees and the required safety equipment for those employees ensued. Motion Ms. Regenia Scott moved the departments have reviewed the forms and determined there are some issues that may need to be modified and addressed. Mr. Magazine indicated that was the purpose of the review. The job area the employee works in is the factor used to decide which employee needs to obtain Safety Shoes. Ms. Regenia Scott suggested having the job descriptions indicate the need for safety equipment. There was consensus to table the review to the next meeting. Safety shoes provide protection for exposure to chemicals, compression, impact puncture/penetration, dropped objects, etc. 3 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, Florida April 10, 2006 Individuals not on the list who need safety shoes will need departmental sign off. There is a Supervisor Sign Off sheet, which should be used. The list of employees approved for safety shoes will be finalized at the next meeting. Forms should be directed to John Jordan, Human Resources. VII. Announcements The employee barbeque will be held on the 26th of April. Mr. Landress also announced the AviJn Flu Bird VJccinc PPE is being stock-piled in anticipation of the impact the f1u-it may have in the area. VIII. The next meeting will be held on May 8,2006 at 10:00 A.M. IX. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11:04 A.M. Respectfully submitted Catherine C erry-Guberman Recording Secretary 042106 4