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Minutes 03-09-09 MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Mark Bobich, Chair Ray Altman, Vice Chair Catherine Cherry, Secretary Chuck Magazine Chip Mierke Michael Naughton Bevis Pigott Jody Rivers Maibet Rosado Barbara Scott Cathy McDeavitt Pam Welsh Safety Administrator Fire Rescue City Clerk Risk Management Public Works Library Utilities Recreation and Parks Human Resources Police/Code ITS/GIS City Manager ABSENT: Eric Falstad/Jeremy Davis Mike Rumpf/Chris Mitchell Rodney Vicki/Julie Alibrandi Barbara Scott/Lt. Katz Golf Course Development Finance/Warehouse Police/Code Compliance I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was present. III. Acceptance of Minutes of 02/09/2009 regular meeting Motion Vice Chair Altman moved to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Naughton seconded the motion that unanimously passed. IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program 1 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, Florida March 9, 2009 Chair Bobich distributed copies of the Safety Bulletin, a copy of which is included in the meeting backup. There was brief discussion the bulletin could be e-mailed to the members. The members were advised the Risk Management Department would send the bulletin by hard copy and e-mail. Mr. Magazine advised there was a bill that was anticipated to pass, which would require public entities to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards by the year 2012. Palm Beach County could not pass the OSHA regulations and they have one of the best safety programs in the State. One standard frequently cited was the General Duty Clause. Part of that clause was to maintain a safe workplace through housekeeping. Failure to adhere to the clause carried a higher fine. A safety program was being tested in the Utilities Department, and if successful, would be implemented Citywide. It was emphasized at some point OSHA or another applicable State agency would be visiting. If the OSHA standards were not met and an individual was injured, an attorney could use the OSHA standards against the City. It was particularly important with third-party claims, which are expensive. Chair Bobich would be working with various departments for training and other safety projects but it was emphasized it was vital the employees understood the importance of the impending changes. The new standards could affect many aspects of employment including bargaining agreements, as there are hour regulations included. Currently, the City follows many of the standards but if the bill passes, the City would be required to follow all the standards. Information regarding OSHA instructed courses could be provided in-house. It was reported there was discussion in the insurance industry of organizing classes statewide where individuals would come in and train. There would be many train-the-trainer classes. The Palm Beach County Safety Council was involved as was the University of South Florida as OSHA's outreach center. The City would work with many of the local organizations as opposed to new organizations offering training classes. Vice Chair Altman suggested receiving the training early and then offer training to other entities. The activity could be used as a revenue generator. Mr. Ben Soto, Safety Specialist from Delray Beach, was present to observe how Boynton Beach conducted its Safety Committee meetings. Most entities follow the regulations for the most part, but they need to follow the regulations completely and document them as oftentimes, the documentation is missing. V. Old Business 2 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, Florida March 9, 2009 A. Fire Drills Vice Chair Altman reviewed seven fire drills that took place. Notably, the Library had a fire drill and fire extinguisher training. Utilities, Solid Waste and other private facilities also had drills. A copy of the paperwork was included with the meeting backup. Ms. Rivers requested when the Recreation and Parks Department conducted their next evacuation that they do something different, such as evacuating for a chemical spill, or learn how to evacuate someone in a wheelchair from the second story. Ms. Rivers advised Jim Macintyre could set up the drill. B. Proud to be a Safe Worker Awards Chair Bobich explained at the upcoming Safety Council meeting, the Society of Engineers was considering an award next year for individuals who were not safety professionals. Individuals who developed a product, concept or idea of how to do enhance safety, or who went beyond the call of duty regarding safety could be considered. In the past, a civilian received the award for saving a child who fell in a pool. It was also noted Utilities' workers developed a "Tube Support Table" which enabled additional sections of vactor tubing to be connected without having to hold several lengths of tubing over an open lift station pit. Consideration could be given to the device which was suggested by Thorley Johnson, designed by Mike Osborn and Mike Taylor, and fabricated by Barry Hall. C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings Chair Bobich encouraged the members to continue their in-house inspections. He requested the members review the meetings and inspections spreadsheet on the Shared Drive to ensure proper credit was given. The worksheets were on the Shared Drive. D. Defensive Driver Course The City is in the process of creating a defensive driving course. The course was no longer supported by the Smith System, as the program software was old. Risk Management was creating their own PowerPoint presentation on the Defensive Driving course, which would encompass part of the Smith System information and more. The course is required every two years and employees are required to pass the test given at the end of the course. A copy of the Administrative Policy Manual regarding the Safe Driver Program was distributed. The procedure for policy revisions would be presented to the City 3 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, Florida March 9, 2009 Manager's Leadership Team (CML T) for approval. The policy would then be sent to the department head and then to Ms. Welsh in the City Manager's Office for Mr. Bressner's signature. When the policy was on the Shared Drive, she would e-mail CML T and Administrative Services Team members of the APM number and that it was revised. Department heads would then be responsible for distributing the information to employees. Departments should keep their own list of when employees have to take the driving course. Ms. Brown, in Risk Management, has a complete list. It was noted the test was available in Spanish; having the test available in Creole was also suggested. There was a policy in the Administrative Policy Manual that also pertained to the use of seat belts and it was noted employees would have to adhere to that as well. Mr. Soto offered his assistance to the City. He reported Delray Beach continues to implement and update their manual. E. Incident Review Board Referrals None. F. Other None. VI. New Business A. Departmental Safety Issues Chair Bobich had been to the new Library and advised many departments assisted with identifying items that were addressed there. The Library was a good example of departments working together. Another example was the meeting room temperature, as it was cold for many years. The Facilities Department was notified, and while it took time, the temperature was balanced and is now comfortable. A training fire on a NE 4th Avenue structure took place. Normally when the training was completed, part of the structure remained which was unsafe. The owner, which was the Community Redevelopment Agency, was responsible for the cleanup. As the Community Redevelopment Agency would have to go out to bid for the debris removal, the Utilities Department bought in a CAT and a front-end loader and knocked down the remaining structure. The Community Redevelopment Agency then cleaned it up. This was another example of departments working together. Mr. Magazine suggested the 4 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, Florida March 9, 2009 Community Redevelopment Agency obtain price quotes from vendors before the occurrence based on a general price list, per yard of debris. B. Other Chair Bobich recognized the Recreation and Parks Department for sending their inspection forms electronically. Facilities and the Fire Department assisted Chair Bobich with fire alarm work regarding panel upgrades and replacement. Pull station covers were added, additional alarms at the Hester Center were installed, improved signage and better lighting was added. These were all items addressed through cooperation between departments. Chair Bobich indicated he walks through parks to ensure vegetation has a seven-foot clearance. This was important, not only for bicyclists, but also during hurricane season. He requested if a member noticed vegetation that needed to be addressed; the members should contact him or the Recreation and Parks Department directly. VII. Announcements Mr. Magazine advised he sent an e-mail requesting members of the Safety Committee and the Incident Review Board to RSVP for the Safety Council Award luncheon. VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, April 13, 2009, 10:00 a.m. IX. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 10:40 p.m. ( ~ I . l[UJ1)JJtl!L .W. Catherine Cherry if Recording Secretary 032309 5