Loading...
Minutes 02-08-99 MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, CITY HALL BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1999 AT 10:00 A.M. PRESENT Wally Majors, Chairman Recreation Mark Bobich Utilities Administration & EWTP Bob Borden Fire Rescue Bob Lee Public Works Dorothy Mack Human Resources Barbara Madden City Clerk’s Office Chuck Magazine, Vice Chair Risk Management Hugh McCaffrey Communications Eugene Ruffolo Utilities WWTP ABSENT David Egnor Police A. D. Henehan, Jr. Library Dan Noble Finance/Warehouse Norman Turner Parks Chris Gamble Golf Course Mike Rumpf Planning & Development Sharon Tierney ITS I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Majors called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. II. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. A quorum was declared present. III. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Chairman Majors asked if the members had an opportunity to review the minutes of the January 11, 1999 meeting. Mr. Bobich requested that on Page 4 the number “21” in the first paragraph be changed to “33”. MEETING MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 8, 1999 Motion Mr. Bob Lee moved that the Minutes of the January 11, 1999 meeting, as amended, be approved. Motion seconded by Mr. McCaffrey. Motion unanimously carried. IV. SAFETY COMMITTEE EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM Chairman Majors said there was no video for viewing today. Vice Chair Magazine announced that at next month’s meeting there will be a presentation on safety programs by Richard Infante, the Senior Safety Manager for Motorola in Boynton Beach. Mr. Bobich inquired if the supervisors and foreman should be invited to attend the presentation. Vice Chair Magazine stated he would send out a notice to all Safety Coordinators to invite their Department heads and any other supervisors, managers or foremen who may also wish to attend. If there is a large enough attendance, arrangements will be made to use the Commission Chambers for the meeting. Vice Chair Magazine stated that Motorola in Boynton Beach is the only location in South Florida that has received the OSHA Gold Star Award. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Fire Drills 1. Civic Center Fire Alarm Status Chairman Majors said he is in receipt of a memo from Chief Bingham regarding the fire alarm situation at the Civic Center and there is a commitment of up to $10,000 to bring the Civic Center up to the fire code. Vice Chair Magazine inquired if any departments have requested fire drills and there have been none. Vice Chair Magazine said that unannounced fire drills would continue. B. City Hall Parking Lot Vice Chair Magazine asked if Facilities Management has placed the light poles in the City Hall parking lot. Vice Chair Magazine will follow through on this. Ms. Madden inquired why there are three handicap-parking spaces designated in the parking lot across the street from City Hall. Mr. Bobich indicated they were probably for the school building in back of the lot. Ms. Madden questioned if the spaces were intended 2 MEETING MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 8, 1999 for the school, why weren’t they placed nearer the school instead of in front of the parking lot, which is a great distance to the school. Assistant Fire Marshal Borden stated that the Code and the occupancy of the building determine the number of handicap parking spaces. Mr. Lee said they probably have been designated for the ARC classes that have been using the building. C. Safety Newsletter Vice Chair Magazine distributed a copy of the newsletter from the City of West Palm Beach that indicated they would now be printing their safety newsletter in color. Vice Chair Magazine said there have been comments that the City of West Palm Beach, which is the largest City in the County, is not up to par with the City of Boynton Beach, which is the third largest City in the County. Vice Chair Magazine said that he would be adding more graphics and pictures to the City’s safety newsletter, which is now four pages. Vice Chair Magazine said that Mr. Lee has regularly contributed a column to the newspaper and the Fire Department will be providing a fire safety column on a regular monthly basis. Vice Chair Magazine said he is always looking for items, cartoons, etc. All submissions should be received by the third week of the month. Vice Chair Magazine said the newsletter will now be printed on the new laser printer in customer service and the quality is much better. Vice Chair Magazine said by utilizing the new printer, preparation time has been cut from four hours to one hour. Vice Chair Magazine also noted that the City of West Palm Beach only distributes one copy of their newsletter to the department, whereas each of our City employees receives a copy. Vice Chair Magazine also mails out about 100 newsletters throughout the area and the country. D. “Proud to be a Safe Worker” Awards Chairman Majors inquired if there were any recipients of the award. Vice Chair Magazine said that recipients of the award would now be listed in the newsletter. Vice Chair Magazine requested that he receive copies of all safety awards. E. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings Vice Chair Magazine said he is not receiving all reports and that last year only about 20% of the departments regularly held safety meetings and inspections. It was determined that administrative areas only need to have safety inspections on a quarterly basis, but the trades areas, etc. need inspections on a monthly basis, as well as monthly meetings. 3 MEETING MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 8, 1999 Vice Chair Magazine reminded members that the safety calendar that was distributed to everyone contains a great deal of information that could be discussed. Vice Chair Magazine reviewed the safety inspections and meeting reports. F. Safe Driver Program 1. Defensive Driver Course Vice Chair Magazine said that more courses have been scheduled and there is an updated version 2. “A Safety First City” Stickers Nothing to report G. City Hall Main Entrance Accessibility Vice Chair Magazine said he spoke to Mr. DeBeck on this issue and Mr. DeBeck informed him that City Hall’s main entrance meets all requirements for ADA. Vice Chair Magazine stated from a customer-service point of view, he would prepare a memo to the City Manager that this be included as a budget item to install a self-opening door and will take the matter off the agenda. Vice Chair Magazine said that an automatic door should be installed. Assistant Fire Marshal Borden noted that there is a design available that uses a button to enter, which opens the door and the same door for coming out of the building would be push to open. Vice Chair Magazine said he would leave the design to management. H. Hazardous Communication Project Team Vice Chair Magazine said that the information was turned over to ITS to be incorporated into the Library or the City-wide network. Vice Chair Magazine will follow through on this. Mr. Bobich stated that he furnished two CDs to Sharon Tierney. Vice Chair Magazine indicated Ms. Tierney gave them to Patrick Hughes. I. Safety Award Distribution Vice Chair Magazine requested that all safety coordinators should have picked up their awards by now. Vice Chair Magazine said he would be picking up the extras at the warehouse. Vice Chair Magazine stated that if anyone needs any more awards to please contact him. 4 MEETING MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 8, 1999 J. Safety Belt Use Project Team Vice Chair Magazine stated that Pam Webb will be setting up a meeting of the team by the end of the month. Vice Chair Magazine will try to have a report for next month. VI. NEW BUSINESS Chairman Majors asked if there was any new business. Vice Chair Magazine said that when there are construction changes planned in departmental areas, it must be determined where the employees of that department will be placed while those changes occur. Vice Chair Magazine said that the work being performed in Human Resources and the Recreation Department has created a disaster, as there are materials and equipment in the hallways, impeding the egress from the building, which is very dangerous. Vice Chair Magazine said the stairwells are full of equipment also. Vice Chair Magazine said that the personnel in these departments were scheduled to continue to work in their department while the work was being performed. However, employees have been coughing because of all the dust being created and this is a very bad situation. Vice Chair Magazine stressed that whenever renovations are planned employees must be moved out of the office. Also, it should be determined if the renovations could be done over the weekend and evenings when the employees are not present. Vice Chair Magazine stated that Leisure Services and Human Resources were not involved in the planning of the renovations. Assistant Fire Marshal Borden said that in accordance with the Life Safety Codes, no one would be allowed in the rooms when there are multiple extension cords running from outlets with no cover plates on the outlet. Vice Chair Magazine said that better planning is needed and more departments should be involved that can offer assistance. Assistant Fire Marshal Borden stated that anyone else who would apply to the City to perform this type of work would be required to present a demolition plan and from that plan it would be determined whether the personnel would be allowed to remain in the building during the work. Assistant Fire Marshal Borden stated that these types of situations have occurred throughout the years when the City undertakes these types of renovations. Vice Chair Magazine stated that the workers from both departments have been removed from the area. Chairman Majors asked whether these types of projects should go through the Building Department Plan Review. Assistant Fire Marshal Borden noted that the renovations for Lucille and Otley’s went through Plans Review. Vice Chair Magazine said that the Utilities project also went through Plans Review. 5 MEETING MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 8, 1999 Mr. Ruffolo asked how much additional time would be added to the project if the renovations first went through the Plan Review process. Assistant Fire Marshal Borden stated it might take one to two weeks. However, Vice Chair Magazine said it would also require drawing up plans and additional paperwork. Mr. Ruffolo stated if other people must go through this process, why should the City be exempt. Vice Chair Magazine agreed with Mr. Ruffolo. Assistant Fire Marshal Borden noted that when renovations go through the Plan Review process, safety recommendations are made with regard to the electrical work. Many times Fire Department Inspectors have made annual inspections and have found improper wiring has been done. Chairman Majors said that the Safety Committee should follow up on these situations by forwarding a memo to the City Manager’s Office informing that Office that the members of the Safety Committee has concerns regarding these types of situations. Mr. Bobich stated that the memo should also state that safety regulations and recommendations are being by-passed. Motion Vice Chair Magazine moved that the Safety Committee forward a memo to the City Manager’s Office setting forth this Committee’s concern that prior to any project which would involve any form of demolition or electrical work being undertaken, that the plans must be reviewed by the appropriate personnel and that safety regulations and recommendations are being by-passed. Motion seconded by Bob Lee. Motion unanimously carried. Mr. Ruffolo noted that the West Water Plant is having an expansion of services and with the addition of three water treatment-training units (“trains”) there is a great increase in the noise and said that there should be annual hearing tests for the operators and personnel at the Plant. Mr. Ruffolo said that he has contacted Scott Blasie in this regard. Vice Chair Magazine inquired if there were earplugs and earmuffs for use and was informed there were. Mr. Bobich said that there are signs posted that state “hearing protection required”. Mr. Ruffolo stated that this pertains to the workers, but also there are tours of the plant and some people don’t wear the earplugs. Vice Chair Magazine stated that all persons entering this area should be required to wear the earplugs and it should be determined how long other persons could safely remain in the area. Vice Chair Magazine said a sign should be posted to this effect. Mr. Ruffolo is concerned that the City would not be agreeable to scheduling annual hearing screenings. Vice Chair Magazine inquired if this could be offered through the Delray Clinic that the Fire Department utilizes. 6 MEETING MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 8, 1999 Mr. Bobich stated that he is having the employees that check the chlorine cylinders go through annual vision screenings and hearing tests because they are exposed to alarms. Vice Chair Magazine requested Mr. Bobich coordinate this with Deputy Chief Jim Ness. There was discussion on who would pay for these annual tests. VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mark Bobich welcomed new member, Gene Ruffolo from the West Water Plant. Mr. Bobich also announced that the City of West Palm Beach received one of the highest awards from the Department of Labor, Division of Safety that also has jurisdiction over this City. Their district went for 60 months without having a disabling on the job injury. Mr. Bobich thinks there may be departments or divisions within our City that could also fall into this category and should be eligible for a safety award. Mr. Bobich stated that OSHA has a VIP Star award and has an entire series of programs and awards. However, Mr. Bobich was not aware that the Department of Labor also had these awards. Mr. Bobich requested that Risk Management look into this further to see if any Department in the City might qualify for an award. Vice Chair Magazine announced that the National Safety Council will be holding their awards banquet in March. If there are any Departments that have any program that is safety oriented that they would like to submit, please forward it to Risk Management for submission for an award to the Palm Beach County Safety Council. Vice Chair Magazine said he was submitting the Defensive Driving Class Program for an award. Vice Chair Magazine said that the City received two awards last year. Vice Chair Magazine said he th needs to have this information by the 19 of February. Vice Chair Magazine said that if the City did receive any awards, Risk Management will buy a table at the awards and he would invite the Commissioners and the Mayor and the people from the Departments as well. NEXT MEETING DATE: MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1999 @ 10:00 a.m. VIII. (Place TBA) 7 MEETING MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 8, 1999 IX. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Magazine moved that the meeting adjourn. Motion seconded by Mark Bobich. The meeting properly adjourned at 11:55 a.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (one tape) 8