Minutes 10-13-08
MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2008, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE FIRE/POLICE
TRAINING ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Mark Bobich, Chair
Mike Landress, Vice Chair
Stephanie Kahn, Secretary
Jeremy Davis
Chuck Magazine
Angelena Michael
Michael Naughton
Bevis Pigott (Arrived 10:10 8.m.)
Jody Rivers
Samantha Sidlower
Rodney Vicki
Safety Administrator
Fire Rescue
City Clerk
Golf Course
Risk Management
Public Works
Library
Utilities
Recreation and Parks
ITS/GIS
FinancelWarehouse
ABSENT:
Maibet Rosado/Dorothy Mack
Mike Rumpf/Chris Mitchell
Barbara Scott/Lt. Jeffery Katz
Pam Welsh/Carisse Lejeune
Human Resources
Development
Police/Code Compliance
City Manager
I. Call to Order
Chair Bobich called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m.
II. Roll Call
The Recording Secretary called the roll. A quorum was present.
III. Acceptance of Minutes of 09/08/2008 regular meeting
There were no changes to the minutes.
Motion
Mr. Magazine moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Rivers seconded the motion that
unanimously passed.
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October 13, 2008
IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program - Safety Video
A video entitled "Safety Orientation of Office Environments" was shown. The video
explained there are more potential hazards in manufacturing facilities than offices;
however, employees do not consider safety in the office as part of their work
responsibilities. Generally an office is more organized. Between 85% - 98% of injuries
result from unsafe acts, such as taking shortcuts, or not following procedures. When
employees take the time for safety, offices are safe.
Electrical safety was reviewed. Almost all equipment runs on electricity and hazards
should be reported to supervisors. Electrical cords should be inspected for frays, cracks
or cuts. Check electrical receptacles for damage. If the equipment is grounded, make
sure the third prong is properly installed and functioning.
There are two different types of electrical plugs - two prong and three prong. The two
prong plug means it has double insulation inside the equipment. This would provide
some shock protection in the event of a short or equipment malfunction. The three
prong plug means there is a third wire/prong called a ground. Should a malfunction
occur, electricity would flow from the equipment to the ground, thereby providing shock
protection. If the third prong is damaged or missing, there is no protection. It is up to
the employee to inspect the equipment. It was emphasized that electrical equipment
should never be operated in, around, or near water.
Bevis Pigott arrived at 10:15 a.m.
Open toed shoes should not be worn. Employees should wear comfortable shoes with
low heels.
Chemical safety is a concern in an office environment. Read, and follow the instructions
on the labels. Cleaning supplies, copier toner and other hazardous materials can be
found in almost every office. The list of chemicals in the product is contained in the
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) sheet. The sheets contain a variety of technical
information about a particular chemical, including any personal protective equipment
required when the product is used, first aid procedures, potential health hazards and
other information. If more information is needed about a product or chemical, a
supervisor should be consulted.
Fire prevention is a concern to everyone. Employees should be aware where the
extinguishers are located and how to use them, where the emergency exits are located
and never use elevators in an emergency. The work area should be kept clear and
emergency exits, extinguishers or electrical panels should not be blocked. Never stack
materials higher than 18 to 36 inches from a sprinkler head. Storage areas should be
kept clean and neat. Trash should be emptied regularly. Employees should read and
understand emergency plans.
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Safe lifting techniques were reviewed. The most important thing to remember is to keep
the back aligned in its natural curvature. The lifting should be done in the legs, not the
back. In an industrial environment, employees should place their feet between the
object they will lift, and then bend down close to the object. The employee should get a
good palm grip on the object, pull it close to the body and then stand up. The back is
composed of vertebrae, nerves and fibrous liquid-filled discs, which act as shock
absorbers. When lifting, do not twist the back. Stretching when lifting can cause
damage to ligaments. If an object is too heavy to lift, assistance should be sought.
Slips and falls were reviewed. To prevent slips and falls, employees should watch
where they walk. Most slipping injuries occur on carpets, from water on slick surfaces
or from stepping in holes because the employee is not watching where they are going.
Another cause for slips and falls was by the use of improper ladders, or using chairs or
boxes to extend one's reach. Those actions are unsafe. Use a step stool that is in
good condition should be used. Do not run at work. Employees should also use the
handrail when using the stairs.
Ergonomics involves adjusting the work station equipment to accommodate the needs
of the individual. If equipment can be adjusted to make the job easier, discuss it with
the supervisor. Taking action to adjust computer monitors and chairs is helpful. During
one's work shift, if a hazard is identified, correct it. If the correction is beyond the
employee's area of expertise, the supervisor should be notified. If injured on the job,
report the injury immediately to the supervisor.
Most companies have a policy regarding alcohol or drugs. If an employee is taking
prescription drugs, inform the supervisor who can decide if the prescription would or
would not affect the employee's safety, or the safety of their coworkers. A safety
orientation program may cover most things about safety in the workplace, but
employees will learn more about safety on the job. For new employees, safety
awareness is the key to success. Safety is common sense and good judgment.
Mr. Magazine announced Risk Management offers an ergonomic survey, especially for
offices. If there are issues in the office regarding sore backs or necks, or even how they
have their desks set up, Risk Management can visit the department and meet with staff.
There was a question on safety belts, and when employees have to put the belts on.
The minimum amount of weight that would require the belt to be worn was 20 pounds.
Some safety belts have a shoulder harness. Many employees wear the belt but leave it
unbuckled until lifting an item. Mr. Magazine reminded employees that wearing the belt
does not make an employee stronger.
Chair Bobich advised the City was in a new budget year and a good way to control
department budgets is to reduce incidents and losses. Co-workers should watch out for
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one another and encourage safety. Mr. Magazine explained if an employee is injured,
the workload on the remaining employees would increase.
Chair Bobich had updated posters and forms regarding safety. Additionally, he had
brochures on what to do if an employee is injured. Chair Bobich was inspecting various
facilities and in Public Works, decals were distributed for the vehicles with the Smith
System Driving Tips. There were also stickers reminding employees to buckle up.
There was an informational catalogue with brochures, banners and other items that
could be displayed and shared with departments to reinforce safety. These were items
that could reduce costs and claims.
Mr. Magazine informed the members the Palm Beach Safety Council was looking to
expand their video library. If a department had a specific need, Risk Management could
borrow videos from them or obtain one from other sources.
It was suggested holiday safety both on and off the job should be discussed. Ms.
Rivers noted often women leave their purses in the car at the parks and then wonder
why their cars are vandalized. Mr. Magazine noted years ago, there were women in
City Hall who left their purses unattended and had their wallets stolen. He advised
security at City Hall has greatly improved, but the first step for anyone should be to lock
cars and keep purses out of sight. With the holiday season approaching, shoppers
should get into the habit of locking their doors and putting their items in the trunk. As an
alternative, individuals can shop on the internet.
Chair Bobich also explained many individuals keep emergency money. If a shopper is
approached by an ill intentioned person looking for money, it is better to produce a $20
or $50 bill, because once the aggressor receives the money, they leave. They call this a
"$20 Life Insurance Policy."
V. Old Business
A. Fire Drills
There was no report on Fire Drills given; however, Mr. Landress reported the Fire
Department will have to change safety vests. He suggested other City Departments
examine their vests to determine if those vests need updating. Mr. Magazine
recommended forwarding the information to the Warehouse so they could ensure they
are stocking the correct vests. Mr. Bobich also reported the flags placed on temporary
road closure signs are not good for flagging motorists. He recommended getting specific
information from the Warehouse. Mr. Landress explained there was an additional issue
with gloves, which the Warehouse will stock for Fire/Rescue personnel. The new
gloves will replace the black non-fire gloves.
The Parks Department will contact the Division of Forestry to set up a control burn at
the Hester Center which was in the Recreation and Parks Management plan. Ms.
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Rivers explained the scrub areas are to be divided into portions by the County and each
portion is to be burned every 10 years. She was inquiring if that had taken place. Mr.
Landress explained there had not been control burns in the last 10 years at the park,
and the Fire Department would be prepared to assist Recreation and Parks.
B. Proud to be a Safe Worker Awards
None.
C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings
The Departmental Inspections and Safety Meetings are located on the shared drive.
Chair Bobich conducts about 50 to 60 inspections but departments must also conduct
their own inspections. Anyone needing assistance should contact Chair Bobich. The
forms are also located on the shared drive.
D. Defensive Driver Course
Chair Bobich announced there was an updated listing of courses on the Shared Drive,
and the recommendation for the Defensive Driver Course was changed so employees
would take the course every two years as opposed to every three years.
E. Incident Review Board Referrals
None.
F. Fire Alarm System in City Hall Complex - Status
Chair Bobich explained Paula LeBlanc and Jim Macintyre developed a listing of
locations that needed to be addressed. It was noted the Station 1 area would be
upgraded.
G. Other
None.
VI. New Business
A. Departmental Safety Issues
Mr. Landress explained the Fire Department would be getting battery powered
stretchers. The stretchers are $10,000 a piece, but the investment would pay for itself.
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October 13, 2008
They hoped to have them on the truck by the end of the month. They attempted to
obtain Federal grant monies for them, but were not successful.
Mr. Magazine was trying to track back injuries in the Fire Department before the
stretchers are used, to see if they added value. He stressed they were trying to
decrease Workers Compensation Claims and incidents. Mr. Landress noted as a
society, people are becoming obese and the stretchers could avert the opportunity for
injuries.
Mr. Magazine announced the City would be receiving new vehicle identification cards
for insurance, and they would be distributed to the Safety Coordinators to be placed in
the vehicles.
B. Other
The Safety Awards would be put out within the next month or so.
VII. Announcements
Chair Bobich stressed fire doors should be closed. During the Safety Meetings, the
Safety Coordinators keep the door open, but it should be closed. There were automatic
openers and closers on most doors, but especially during an emergency, the doors
should be closed.
Mr. Pigott announced "Pure Safety" was an online safety training course which should
be available November 1, 2008. Mr. Magazine explained the pilot project was taking
place in Utilities. He hoped in about a year, the program could be available to the entire
City, specific to each department.
Mr. Magazine reported the Legislature approved the establishment of a Safety Task
Force. One of the goals may be to establish another Division of Safety or incorporate
Occupational Safety Health Administration regulations. Should that occur, the City
would need to adjust the manner in which they do operate, because municipalities had
been exempt. By starting this type of online program, the City would be proactive. With
the training program, there are tests and quizzes involved taking less than 45 minutes to
complete. All the courses were geared towards departments or trades and would
reduce the cost of injuries and Workers Compensation Claims. Safety is a priority. It
was noted the Fire Department already uses online training and the feedback was
positive.
VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, November 10,2008,10:00 a.m.
IX. Adjournment
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Safety Committee
Boynton Beach, Florida
October 13, 2008
There was no further business to discuss.
Motion
Ms. Rivers moved to adjourn. Mr. Magazine seconded the motion that unanimously
passed.
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Catherine Cherry r
Recording Secretary
110408
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