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Minutes 05-18-98 MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, CITY HALL BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MONDAY, MAY 18, 1998 AT 10:00 A.M. PRESENT Michael Rumpf, Chairman Planning Ken Hall, Vice Chairman Development Hugh McCaffrey Communications Chuck Magazine Risk Management Bob Borden Fire Rescue Wally Majors Leisure Services Glenda Hall Parks David Egnor Police Department Tony Frazier Finance/Warehouse Mark Bobich Utilities Administration & EWTP Michael Collin Fire Rescue Sharon Tierney Inf. Tech. Services Chris Gamble Golf Course Barbara Madden City Clerk’s Office Tom Fitzgerald Utilities WWTP ABSENT A. D. Henehan, Jr. Library Bob Lee Public Works I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Rumpf called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. II. ROLL CALL The Recording Secretary called the roll. A quorum was declared present. III. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Chairman Rumpf asked if there were any additions, deletions, or corrections to be made to the Minutes of the April 14, 1998 meeting. There were none. MOTION Vice Chairman Ken Hall moved that the Minutes of the April 14, 1998 meeting be approved. Motion seconded by Dave Egnor. Motion carried. MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 IV. SAFETY COMMITTEE EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM Chuck Magazine informed the meeting that the video to be shown today is entitled “Unsafe Acts-Human Behavior”. After the video showing concluded, discussion took place on the proper procedures for completing and submitting accident reports. Mr. Magazine stated that it was the responsibility of the supervisor for each department to make sure that the accident reports were completed correctly and submitted. Ken Hall inquired if people were being counseled. Mr. Magazine stated that there is a counseling form available on the “shrdata drive” and should be utilized. The issue of accidents in the parking garage was raised. Assistant Fire Marshall Borden stated there was a recent accident in the Fire Department. A firefighter was walking across the bay, slipped and fell and it was found to be preventable because the firefighter was aware of the condition of the floor and he was not careful while walking across the floor. Chuck Magazine stated that it was the supervisor’s responsibility to make sure employees have adequate shoes and if an employee did not, it was the supervisor’s responsibility to inform the employee of the condition of his shoes. Chairman Rumpf inquired what percent of the accidents reported could have been prevented. Mr. Magazine stated approximately 75% could have been prevented. Chairman Rumpf encouraged the Board members to use the safety tips presented in the video in their work environment and present them to your employees. The wearing of a back belt was discussed and whether or not a belt prevents accidents. Mr. Magazine stated that the main purpose of a back belt is to remind the person wearing it to keep their back straight. Just because a back belt is not guaranteed to prevent injury, it does not mean that wearing one is not worthwhile and should be encouraged, if worn properly as part of an overall safety program. Chuck Magazine stated there are training videos available to assist departments and each department’s safety coordinator must identify any problem within the department and address them. Mr. Magazine stated that the video shown today is available to all 2 MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 departments and he would be glad to have it viewed by as many departments as possible. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Fire Drills Assistant Fire Marshall Borden stated there was nothing to report, but if there is any department that would like to have a fire drill, please contact him so that a date and time can be arranged. Assistant Fire Marshall Borden stated that the Art Center and the Civic Center are still waiting for the fire alarm system to function properly. Mr. Magazine inquired as to the status of the fire alarm system in those buildings. Assistant Fire Marshall Borden stated that one needs repair and another needs installation. Mr. Magazine asked Assistant Fire Marshall Borden to prepare a list of buildings which should have fire drills and which ones have had fire drills this year and have it available for the June meeting. B. City Hall Parking Garage & Parking Lot Chuck Magazine informed members that the bids will be opened for the floor in the parking garage on May 28th at 2:00 p.m. Once there is a bid opening, hopefully work can begin sometime in June. With regard to the lighting, both in the basement and the City Hall parking lot, the paperwork has been submitted to the Purchasing Department and it is anticipated that this work could begin in June also. Mr. Magazine stated that once the flooring is completed in the garage, if there are any slips and falls by employees coming to and leaving work, it will not be covered by workman’s comp. Under the worker’s compensation statute, commuting to and from work is not covered by arriving on the property, but arriving at your work site. Mr. McCaffrey inquired if a person slips and falls on their way to work in the garage, that person would have to file a claim against the City. Mr. Magazine stated that was correct. 3 MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 Chairman Rumpf stated it was important that the signage in the garage also be improved. C. Safety Newsletter Mr. Magazine stated that he still is in need of articles and would welcome any articles from any other publications. D. Office Security at City Hall Mr. Magazine referred the Board to an item in their agenda packets that was furnished by Mr. Kastarlak stating that he has not received any reports from the Development Department concerning office security or theft in the West Wing of the City Hall. Hopefully, this is the result of employees being mindful of theft problems and are monitoring people entering the West Wing. (Memorandum inadvertently omitted and a copy will be furnished to the recording secretary for the minutes.) Mr. Magazine stated that the Police Department has offered to work with any Department that might be in need of assistance in security matters. E. "Proud to be a Safe Worker Award” Chairman Rumpf inquired if any employees received the award since the last meeting. Mark Bobich stated that the following employees from his department received the Proud to be a Safe Worker Award and presented copies for the record: Archie Underwood Royston Reddick Jim Hart Mark Bobich informed the Board that the award was the result of these employees’ quick response to an oil spill on Woolbright Road (a County road). These employees immediately closed off the road with vehicles and cones and applied oil absorbents and sand on the spill. Their quick work, together with the combined efforts of the Police, Fire, Public Works and clean-up contractor personnel, averted a dangerous situation. 4 MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 Mr. Magazine stated that the quick action of the City employees is to be commended, rather than waiting for the County or State to come to the scene. All of the City employees involved in this incident should be greatly praised for their quick response to the situation. Mr. Bobich stated that the employees have already received their pins. F. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings Mr. Magazine said that he has prepared a grid sheet with all the departments to monitor each department on safety inspections and safety meetings that will begin in June. Mr. Magazine requested that information be sent to him regularly regarding each department’s inspections and meetings, and it will be incorporated into the minutes of each meeting. These meetings should be scheduled on a monthly basis. Chairman Rumpf inquired if monthly meetings would be a problem for any department. Several Board members indicated that they have been holding their meetings and inspections on a quarterly basis. Glenda Hall indicated that each week when the paychecks for their department are distributed a safety tip of the week is discussed and each employee is logged and signed off. Mr. Magazine requested that copies of the sign in sheets be sent to him. Mike Collins introduced the issue of the dangerous intersection that exists at I-95 and Gateway Boulevard. As a driver approaches the light from either direction, there are actually two different lights with two different intersections. Mr. Magazine stated he was at that intersection about 6 months ago, and the State DOT has been made aware of the problem by the City. The City has no control over that intersection. Chairman Rumpf inquired how accident data is disseminated? Is it forwarded to particular departments and agencies? Sgt. Egnor stated that the police department keeps track of all accidents throughout the City. Sgt. Egnor did not believe that the State DOT receives copies of all accident reports, unless there was something unique about the accident. 5 MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 G. Safe Driver Program 1. Defensive Driver Course Mr. Magazine stated that approximately 260 people have completed the class and there are an additional 60 to 70 that are scheduled. Mr. Magazine stated he spoke with Mr. Huntington from the PD with regard to the COP drivers taking the course and discussions on this issue will continue. Mr. Magazine also said he spoke with Chief Gage about police officers going through the training and he is in favor of this. In order to be able to accommodate the officers, the classes can be scheduled off shift. Also, Mr. Magazine stated that this will have to be coordinated with ITS so that the system will be available for this program. 2. “A Safety First City” Stickers Mr. Magazine stated he would order the stickers. H. Parking at EWTP Mark Bobich reported on this issue and stated the situation has remained unchanged. Now it seems to have turned into a union issue because the chief steward is working with the deputy directors on making the situation better and closing off parking in the northwest section where the generator was located. Mr. Magazine stated there were five designated parking spots in the northwest corner lined off and usually there are 7 to 10 cars parked in this area. This area needs to have access and with cars parked there, it is very difficult for trucks to enter. Mr. Bobich also stated that personnel are still parking under the signs that say “no parking” behind the treatment plant. Ken Hall suggested installing “tow away signs” to discourage parking in this areas. Mr. Magazine stated there is plenty of parking for City vehicles to be parked in the center court area, but people do not want to use the space because of the walking distance. 6 MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 Chairman Rumpf asked when construction would begin. Mr. Bobich stated construction should begin by September of this year and should take about six months to complete. Hopefully, construction can be completed by spring or summer of 1999. . I. Fire Station #3, Indoor Air Quality Chairman Rumpf asked for an update on the Air Quality at Fire Station #3. Mr. Magazine stated that the testing is scheduled for Friday of this week and a report should be available within two weeks from the laboratory to determine the status of the air quality inside the station. J. Safety Manual Review Chairman Rumpf inquired as to the status of the Safety Manual Review. It was requested that more time be given to the review of the Safety Manual. It was decided that the review be tabled until the June 1998 meeting. VI. NEW BUSINESS The matter of the location of the utility drop off box located in the City Hall parking lot was raised. Vice Chairman Ken Hall stated that Wilfred Hawkins has suggested that the box should be relocated and a drop chute be attached, so that people don’t have to get out of their automobiles. Various areas were discussed on where the drop box could be located; some suggested that it be located at the entrance to the police station. Also, it was discussed that the parking lot be changed to one-way. Ken Hall stated he would follow up on this issue and also speak with Mr. Hawkins for his input. Mr. Magazine suggested that when the City hires a traffic engineer that this particular issue could be referred to him as he has an expertise in this area. It was suggested moving the box to the Civic Center, but after discussion it was felt that the residents would be inconvenienced if the box were moved two buildings away from City Hall. Tony Frazier raised the problem with the main doors to City Hall as being difficult to open for people on crutches and in wheel chairs. 7 MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 The issue of automatic doors is being considered to be included in the upcoming budget and Mr. Magazine will check with Ms. Matchett to determine the status of this request. Also, Mr. Magazine stated that ADA accessibility to City Hall must also be considered. Under ADA regulations, reasonable accommodation must be made for access to the City Hall. The question was raised if the West Wing will also have to comply with ADA accessibility? Mr. Magazine stated the reason he approached Ms. Matchett on this issue is that her department is located on the first floor entrance and deals with the public on a continuous basis. Returning to the issue of placement of the utility drop box, there was some additional discussion and it was concluded that this could best be handled by making the parking lot one way and placing the drop box on the perimeters of the northern half of the parking circle. It was further determined that one-way traffic in the parking lot would be safer. Also, the placement of direction arrows was discussed. It was decided that Mr. Magazine would draft a letter for Chairman Rumpf’s signature. I. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Bob Borden announced that Saturday, May 23, 1998 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Emergency Medical Services Open House would be held at Fire Station #3. B. Bob Borden also announced that CPR training for City employees is no longer mandatory for most departments, but classes are still being offered for any employees who may wish to sign up. C. Mr. Bobich stated that heart monitors are going to be placed at the golf course. Also they are being considered for the tennis courts on Congress Avenue and at City Hall in the Mall. 8 MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 Assistant Fire Marshall Borden stated these heart monitors were easy to use and required very little training. Chairman Rumpf inquired if the Fire Department was going to do the training of employees to use the heart monitors? Assistant Fire Marshall Borden stated that to date there has been no plans for training. The Fire Department did inform the Golf Course that once they receive the equipment, the Fire Department would be glad to train anyone who would like training. Mr. Magazine stated that once the equipment is purchased an SOP should be prepared for the training of employees and untrained personnel should not be allowed to use the equipment. It was also suggested placing the equipment at the Beach as well. It was determined that placing the equipment at City Hall in the Mall would not be feasible. D. Mr. Magazine referred members to the article from OSHA Compliance Advisor on Crane Safety, dated April 13, 1998 for their review. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before this Committee, Chuck Magazine made a motion to adjourn and Hugh McCaffrey seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned at 10:33 a.m. IX. NEXT MEETING MONDAY, JUNE 8, 1998 AT 10:00 A.M. Respectfully submitted, ________________________ Review By: Barbara M. Madden Recording Secretary (two tapes) By___________________________ Chairman 9 MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 18, 1998 10