Minutes 02-11-08
MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING
HELD ON FEBRUARY 11, 2008, AT 10:00 A.M. AT FIRE STATION #2
COMMUNITY ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
Present:
Mark Bobich, Chair
Chuck Magazine, Vice Chair
Catherine Cherry-Guberman
Chris Mitchell
Rodney Vicki
Ray Altman arrived at 10:09 a.m.
Glendon Morgan
Angelena Quinn
Jody Rivers
Mike Taylor
Risk Management
Risk Management
City Clerk
Development
Finance/Warehouse
Fire Rescue
ITS/GIS
Public Works
Recreation and Parks
Utilities
Absent:
Pam Welsh/Carisse LeJeune
Dorothy Mack/Maibet Rosado
Craig Clark/Karen Abramson
Barbara Scott/Lt. Katz
City Managers
Human Resources
Library
Police/Code Compliance
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:06 a.m.
II. Roll Call
The Recording Secretary called the roll. A quorum was present.
III. Acceptance of Minutes of 01/14/2008 regular meeting
Motion
Mr. Magazine moved to approve. Ms. Rivers seconded the motion that unanimously
passed.
IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program
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February 11, 2008
The Committee had anticipated reviewing the safety manual but this item was deferred
to the next meeting. Each committee member would receive a copy of the manual for
the next meeting.
v. Old Business
A. Fire Drills
This item was deferred to later in the meeting.
B. Proud to be a Safe Worker Awards
Mr. Bobich read a Proud to be a Safe Worker Award, which actually took place in
November involving Paul Latone, a Utilities Department Employee, who assisted a man
who was going into a diabetic shock. Mr. Bobich read the award, a copy of which is
included with the minutes. They would try to have the employee recognized at the next
City Commission meeting.
A. Fire Drills (Heard out of Order)
Ray Altman, Fire Rescue arrived and explained he had received information from
Recreation and Parks regarding fire drills. He reported 76 fire department employees
participated in fire drills and he was keeping track of the individuals who participated in
them. Mr. Mcintyre was also keeping track of the occupancy tags for the new buildings
for Recreation and Parks.
Mr. Bobich and Mr. Magazine will check with Facilities maintenance about putting
plastic boxes over the fire alarms in City Hall.
C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings
Mr. Bobich advised the departmental Inspections were kept track of on the shared drive.
D. Defensive Driver Course
1. Solid Waste drivers, special class (not yet requested)
Angela Quinn was trying to schedule the course for Solid Waste Drivers.
E. Incident Review Board Referrals
None.
F. Smoking cessation classes
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February 11, 2008
Ms. Quinn explained a flyer was distributed with the paychecks about the class. The
course was a ten week course. The designated smoking area also has been
maintained.
G. Near Miss Accident Reporting System
Mr. Altman advised he has not had an opportunity to write the instructions for the
p roced u re.
H. Other
VI. New Business
A. Departmental Safety Issues
None.
B. Fire Alarm System in City Hall Complex - Status
Mr. Bobich explained Facilities and Engineering were working on this item. The fire
alarm system for the City Hall complex was antiquated and it was difficult to obtain parts
for it. If the Fire Department went in to inspect it, similar to an inspection conducted at a
business, the system would need to be upgraded. It was agreed the committee needed
to monitor this issue to ensure it is addressed in a timely fashion.
Mr. Altman advised he was referred to Pedro Escobar regarding OSHA classes for
eyeglass, hearing and the Right-to-Know laws. To his understanding there was no
video or instructional system for new employees. He was looking online to try to find
items they could use.
Mr. Escobar was working with Mr. Bobich to identify mandatory classes required by
OSHA and Mr. Bobich was meeting with Human Resources about it. Additionally,
Human Resources got new tracking software that could be used to keep track of
training. A matrix, specific to what would be needed in Boynton Beach would be
brought back to the next meeting. Mr. Magazine anticipated that although the City was
not under OSHA at this time, the City needed to align itself with the OSHA standards or
exceed them. Mr. Magazine explained there were no safety requirements in the State,
and one of the issues the legislature would consider over the next few years was
whether they would require employers to fall under OSHA, including public entities.
This was for general worker safety.
Mr. Magazine explained originally, The Division of Safety, under the state statute,
adopted the OSHA requirements. Then the state agency was abolished. Boynton
Beach has tried to follow the OSHA rules, but the training area has been a problem. He
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February 11, 2008
noted OSHA has the ability to come in and review incidents should there be a serious
incident. The City could ask OSHA to come in and conduct an evaluation, but once
they come in, they do not go away. He advised, the sooner the City got started with
this, the better and the first area was training. He explained the departments should
tighten up the inspections and meetings. The City did implement certain policies
through the Safety Committee such as safety shoes.
Mr. Altman explained he reviewed Palm Beach County's requirements for accreditation
and requirements for their employees, and found three safety programs through OSHA
they were using for the new employees, but there was a cost associated.
Mr. Magazine also advised he met with the new insurance carrier, and the broker, R.J.
Gallagher, has safety staff that could provide training and other resources. The Safety
Coordinators would ensure the employees take the training. If there was no
cooperation, the Safety Coordinators should contact Mr. Magazine's office. Mr.
Magazine explained training will be the focal point for this year.
Notices about the Safety Council Award luncheon would be forthcoming. The luncheon
was scheduled for March 13, 2008. He invited members to attend, however, the seats
were on a first come, first served basis.
C. Other
Mr. Bobich had a poster about slips and falls. He encouraged members to inspect for
broken tiles or sidewalks, hoses lying across areas that could cause trips. He explained
he found these deficiencies in most of the facilities he inspected. He requested the
notice be posted.
Ms. Rivers reported at the entrance to the lobby to the breezeway at the West Wing and
a water restriction stand on a rug bunches up. Ms. Quinn will speak with facilities to try
to obtain a smaller mat.
VII. Announcements
Ms. Rivers introduced Alex Carrion, the Cemetery Sexton, who was participating in the
Recreation and Parks Department Employee Development Program.
VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, March 10,2008,10:00 a.m.
The meeting will take place in the Fire/Police Training Room.
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Boynton Beach, Florida
February 11, 2008
IX. Adjournment
There being no further business, there was consensus to adjourn the meeting at 10:35
a.m.
~~~
Recording Secretary
022208
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