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Minutes 05-08-00MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MONDAY, MAY 8, 2000 AT 10:00 A.M. PRESENT Chuck Magazine, Chairman Mark Bobich Gretchen Murphy A.D. Henehan, Vice Chair Susan Collins Wally Majors Dan Nobile Mike Rumpf Carisse Weise George Mantel Steve Lulkin Dan Nobile Risk Management Utilities Admin/EWTP Communications Library City Clerk's Office Recreation Finance/Warehouse Planning & Development City Manager Public Works Recreation Warehouse ALSO PRESENT Tina Smith, Alternate Utilities Admin/EWTP ABSENT Tom Egnaczyk Dorothy Mack Sharon Tierney Norm Turner Wendy Danysh Eugene Ruffolo Bob Borden Golf Course Human Resources Inf. Tech. Services Parks Police Utilities WWTP Fire I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Magazine called the meeting to Order at 10:05 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Chairman Magazine called the roll and a quorum was declared present. II1. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF APRIL 10, 2000 REGULAR MEETING Ms. Carisse Weise moved to accept the minutes as presented. Mr, Mark Bobich seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. MEETING MINUTES~ ..... SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 8,2000 IV. SAFETY COMMITTEE EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM Chairman Magazine stated that there would be no training session at this meeting but that he would go over the new draft of the Safety Manual with the members later in the meeting. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Fire Drills Not covered as Assistant Eire Marshall Borden was not present. B. Safety Newsletter Chairman Magazine stated that the Safety Newsletter was still going strong. He reported that West Palm Beach could not keep up with Boynton and was going from a monthly newsletter to a quarterly one. C. "Proud to be a Safe Worker Awards" Chairman Magazine asked whether any departments had given out any of these awards this month. Mr. Bobich stated that there were three such awards in Utilities: 1) Mike Dazzo and Darren Antonucci saw a man fall off his bike at an intersection, stopped their truck to block traffic and moved the man, his bike and his belongings from the roadway. They realized he was having a seizure and reported this to Utilities Administration to call for help. They stayed at the scene until help arrived. Mr. Dazzo had been a volunteer fireman and paramedic in New York prior to his employment in Boynton. 2) Leon White noticed a man having a seizure on the sidewalk. Leon called Angel Owen in Utilities Administration who then called 911. Leon stayed at the scene until help arrived. 3) Donald Harbol noticed a small pothole on Federal Highway. He turned his van around and parked it with flashers on to prevent traffic from encountering the hole and radioed Utilities Administration to report the hole and the need for barricades. Leon White brought the barricades to the site and noticed the hole was about six feet in diameter beneath the asphalt. Mr. Harbol's actions could have prevented a major traffic problem and possible accident(s). Chairman Magazine encouraged departments to look for similar instances and give out the awards and pins. Ms. Weise suggested that copies of the award write-ups be forwarded to Mr. Wayne Segai, who is looking for positive employee news for the newsletter. Mr. Bobich said he 2 MEETING MINUTES ' ~ SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 8,2000 would collect the more recent ones and would begin to forward Mr. Segal copies when the awards were generated in the future. D. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings Chairman Magazine distributed charts showing the result of safety inspections and department meetings on safety. There were not very many results to see. Chairman Magazine encouraged the departments to do the inspections, hold the meetings and to be sure to report to him when they were done. weu~Ms. Weise asked if it was within procedures to review safety meeting issues with her department in a forum other than a departmental safety meetinq. Chuck stated that it was. Chairman Magazine stated he had certificates for the warehouse employees from the Safety Council. Five warehouse employees completed a class entitled "Coaching the Lift Truck Operator". Chairman Magazine congratulated the people who took the course. E. Defensive Driving Course Certificates Chairman Magazine reported that there were problems with the computers and the software package but he hoped to have it ready by the end of this month or the beginning of next month. Chairman Magazine advised of a class on driving strategies for all people who drive City vehicles to be held in the City Commission Chambers from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on May 23. All the sanitation drivers will be there. It has been opened up to anyone who drives a City vehicle. A representative of the Florida League of Cities and a former Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Palm Beach County will be speaking. Chairman Magazine encouraged all drivers to attend. Mr. Rumpf wondered if this were focused on large trucks and Chairman Magazine said, no, that it was for ALL vehicles. Chairman Magazine stated that some people believed that if anything happened, it was "the City's responsibility". The City may be responsible for paying for the damages, but if an employee seriously hurts or kills someone while driving a City vehicle, the City doesn't go to jail, the driver does. Mr. Bobich corroborated this, saying that there were people he knew who had gotten tickets for driving overweight vehicles over a bridge. The City didn't get the ticket or the points on the license, the driver did. Ms. Smith said that people needed to be advised that they were not "exempt" from responsibility. They have been told by supervisors that they were exempt from rules such as "driving overweight vehicles over bridges", saying City employees with a "B" license could drive the dump truck with the well point trailer, which is considerably overweight for a "B" license. You must have an "A" license to operate this vehicle. 3 MEETING MINUTES -' SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 8, 2000 Chairman Magazine said that the City was not "exempt" from anything. If there is a law, the City must respect and follow it. He said he would have a talk with the supervisors who were giving that false impression to the employees. Chairman Magazine asked everyone to spread the word about the meeting so there would be a good turnout. If anyone was prohibited from going by his or her supervisor, Chairman Magazine asked to be informed. Mr. Bobich asked if Chairman Magazine had been able to get any copies of the Operation Lifesavers Program video shown at the last meeting of the Safety Committee. Chairman Magazine said he was still trying to get one but they were very limited. Mr. Bobich said the video should be shown during the Defensive Driving course given by the City. Chairman Magazine said he would pursue it. F. Safety Belt Use Project Team Chairman Magazine said there was nothing to report and that the group would have to start working on this again. Mr. Bobich asked about the "Buckle Up" bumper stickers and Chairman Magazine stated that he was still trying to reach the person who has them at D.O.T. The idea of the bumper sticker for the Citizens Action Center, Safety First, came up and Chairman Magazine said that the Committee had been thinking of doing this at one time. Ms. Weise said it would not be a good idea to do it right now because there is now an independent community committee who have called themselves the Citizens Action Committee. l+,,- -,1~,,.~,~ ...... ~'"'"" ;" +~'"+ "+; .... I""~+" +~'c r,;+; .... ^,,,;,-,,, r,~,,,,,,~ at Since the names are so similar, bumper stickers miqht cause confusion in the community~ G. Incident Review Board Referral a) Oceanfront Park Boardwalk Slip and Fall Risks They are going to repaint the boardwalk with a gritty paint that should help the problem. Work will begin after the season ends and the Committee will continue to follow the issue. H. Safety Shoe Subcommittee Chairman Magazine reported that this group had alternatives: met and had come up with two 1) Employees may continue to use the current system An employee may go anywhere else once a year to purchase shoes and be reimbursed up to $60.00 for Iow shoes and $75.00 for boots in 4 MEETING MINUTES ~ SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 8,2000 Chairman Magazine asked for feedback, negative or positive, and hearing none, stated he would put the alternative practice into the Manual. Safety Manual Review Chairman Magazine distributed draft copies of the Safety Manual May 2000 update to the members and reviewed with the committee members, discussing possible changes, additions or deletions to the manual. The first section reviewed was the City Manager letter, which Chairman Magazine asked Ms. Weise to discuss with the City Manager to see if he wished to make any changes. The Responsibilities section was then reviewed. Chairman Magazine pointed out that each department was expected to create its own safety procedures that were specific to their individual work areas. In the section on page 6 entitled "SPECIFIC PROHIBITED ACTIONS" with a sub- heading of "Use of Headset Radios, CD, and Tape Players by Employees", there was some discussion on the prohibition. Mr. Rumpf suggested that language be inserted which limited the prohibition to non-office settings. Several people commented that there were good reasons for employees in offices to wear earphones at times -- typists transcribing from Dictaphones, employees in crowded areas who needed to concentrate, and so forth. Chairman Magazine said he would add the distinction. The next section reviewed was the one on "Driving Rules & Regulations". Chairman Magazine said that the parking rules applied to everyone, including the Police. He was referring to the parking on the swale to the south of City Hall by the officers. There was some concern among the members about this but Chairman Magazine said that he had discussed this with the Chief and senior members of the Police department who had agreed with this. Chairman Magazine stated that employees who drive City vehicles must not have a suspended, revoked, or expired license and that Risk Management was reviewing the employee's records to determine this. If an employee's license becomes suspended, revoked or exPired, it is the employee's responsibility to tell his supervisor immediately. On page 11, item #14, Chairman Magazine read that smoking was prohibited while operating, or as a passenger, in City vehicles or equipment. He believed that this was not a well known rule. On page 12, item #13 it was suggested that cell phones be put in as a separate item number. Also, the prohibition against the use of cell phones while vehicles are in motion was stressed and will be enforced. Chairman Magazine noted that flip-flops were NEVER appropriate footwear on any job in the City, not even in the Library. 5 MEETING MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA May 8, 2000 Chairman Magazine reminded everyone that if they were in an accident, even if it was not in Boynton Beach, that they had to call the law enforcement agency in the town where the accident occurred. A police report is still needed. Under the Training section Chairman Magazine stressed that supervisors were responsible to insure that employees are familiar with the proper and safe operation of their equipment and to identify deficiencies requiring training. There was discussion concerning dialing 9-911 or just 911, depending on what telephone in the City one was using. Chairman Magazine was going to verify this and alter the manual accordingly if necessary. Chairman Magazine asked the Dispatch representative, Ms. Gretchen Murphy, to provide him with a list of the questions Dispatch asks when taking emergency phone calls and Ms. Murphy said she would do so. Chairman Magazine commented on the need for anyone who had to work in the right of way and who might be likely to come in contact with traffic to wear the proper protective clothing. Ms. Weise asked if Risk Management had periodic body mechanics or ergonomic seminars? Chairman Magazine said that he had done presentations for the committee and in several departments and tries to assist people in this. In the Ladders and Scaffolding section Mr. Bobich pointed out that on page 26, item 3, that it shoUld state MUST HAVE rather than should have.., toe boards, mid-rails and handrails and it Should be applicable for scaffolding used for work over four feet high, not ten feet. Ms. Weise asked Chairman Magazine about emergency procedures and the posting of such and if it Would be adequate if every department member had the information at their desk? Was it still required to post on a Wall? +~'"*,,,,~, ,~-~-, z~,,,,.- ......... ,,,-~,-u'~"* ~,"* ~,,,;~,,,,,,, doskThey had evacuation information posted on the Wails but procedures for different kinds of emerqencies were contained in a manual that everyone kePt at their desk.. Inthe monthly safety check it says that emergency numbers and procedures are posted. Chairman Magazine said that the evacuation procedures and wOrkmen's compensation information would be sufficient for posting. Chairman Magazine asked if there was consensus on the Safety Manual and no comments were heard. VI. NEW BUSINESS Chairman Magazine reported a referral from the Incident Review Board pertaining to an incident at the vacuum filter building at the east water plant where an employee was injured coming down a ladder. The employee missed a step on the ladder. 6 MEETING MINUTES ~' SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA M ay 8, 2000 Mr. Bobich stated that Utilities installed a ship's ladder, which has a slight incline to keep things from dripping down to you. Some people thought it should be replaced with a staircase. It would not be that expensive to replace, depending on the type of material chosen. Mr. Bobich stated that it did not make sense to replace the ship's ladder now. It meets all requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, it is painted, it is in good shape, and it is wider than it needs to be. Instead of replacing it we will be retraining the six to ten operators that go up there, making sure they understand it is not a staircase and it is not designed for you to go down it facing away from equipment, the rungs, or away from the landing. There shouldn't be any other problems. Mr. Bobich stated that a lack of training for the employee involved had been the problem. Chairman Magazine asked for any other new business. Mr. Bobich brought up the issue of stealth vehicle bumper stickers. These stickers were intended for use when you see a vehicle driving up on the sidewalk or doing something they are not supposed to be doing and letting you know who you should call to report it. Chairman Magazine spoke to Bob Lee in Vehicle Maintenance and what they have been doing is if a vehicle comes in for maintenance and does not have numbers on it, they are putting numbers on them. The Safe Driver Program (12.01.18) in the Administrative Policy Manual was brought up by Mark Bobich who asked if it was going to be updated as to the calculation of the number of points. Chairman Magazine said they originally had a driver check, which came with a point system, where it would lead to disciplinary action at a certain number of points and this is still in effect. Chairman Magazine said he would regenerate that policy and get the information out to the departments so they can start looking at that point system. Chairman Magazine stated that everyone should be receiving his or for City Hall. The system has not been turned on yet. The syStem ~ everyone to get a badge, only those perSons who either work in Ci! of frequent access to it. The next meeting will be on Monday, 6/12/00, same place, 10:00 A.I~ Having no further business, the meeting was duly adjourned at 11:1(: Respectfully submitted, Susan Collins (one tape) her security badges vas not intended for ~' Hall or have need A.M, 7