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Minutes 04-09-09 MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2009, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE FIRE/POLICE TRAINING ROOM, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Mark Bobich, Chair Safety Administrator Ray Altman, Vice Chair Fire Rescue Catherine Cherry, Secretary City Clerk Jeremy Davis Golf Course Chuck Magazine Risk Management Chip Mierke Public Works Michael Naughton Library Bevis Pigott Utilities Samantha Powers ITS/GIS Jody Rivers Recreation and Parks Mike Rumpf Development Rodney Vicki Finance/Warehouse Pam Welsh City Manager ABSENT: Barbara Scott/Lt. Katz Police/Code Compliance Maibet Rosado/Dorothy Mack Human Resources Lanson Mierke/Angelena Michael Public Works I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 9:55 a.m. II. Roll Call The Recording Secretary called the roll and a quorum was present. III. Acceptance of Minutes of 03/09/2009 regularmeeting It was noted Barbara Scott was absent at the last meeting. Motion Mr. Vicki moved to accept the minutes as amended. Ms. Rivers seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 1 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, Florida April 13, 2009 IV. Safety Committee Education and Training Program - Safety Footwear Presentation & Evaluation Mr. Magazine announced the Blue and White Collar workers receive a footwear allowance of $190 per year and the City was trying to reduce costs. The item would be negotiated with the Union, as the City was dropping the safety allowance and would provide the footwear. The City has a contract with Ritz Safety for safety equipment and clothing and worked with them to secure good quality safety footwear for the employees. In the past, the City was able to bring the footwear, via truck, to the employees and receive a price adjustment for the boots. The choice of shoes/boots was narrowed down to Timberland and Dickies safety boots. Tim Blaikie , Account Executive from Ritz Safety, advised he met with the City and the selected boots meet the safety standards established by the Safety Committee and the Office of Safety and Health Administration, (OSHA). The intent was to provide a high quality boot that would last for the year. The Timberland boots were the number one selling boot. Another option, the Dickies boot was also well made. Both boots were available in women’s and men’s sizes in the six-inch boot, or lower cut Oxford style, and are available in widths up to EEE. The Safety Committee would approve the boots. Ritz Safety would fit the workers that qualified under the contract, and others, then deliver the boots to the Warehouse. Mr. Magazine suggested the Timberland boots, as they are extremely high quality and would last. The Timberland boot was also waterproof. Workers exposed to chemicals and water had special boots available to them through the Warehouse to accommodate that need. If an employee could not be fitted with a boot, the employee could purchase their own boot, and the City would reimburse them up to $90, minus tax. Previously, the supervisor approved the purchase and signed a form 121. The Safety Administrator would now assume the task of approving the purchases. The soles of shoes usually wear out, and it was unknown if there was a rating for it. Mr. Blaikie knew the manufacturing process was different. He reported the Timberland boot was the one most commonly sold. The shoes were the only piece of Personal Protective Equipment the City does not provide. Hardhats, gloves, goggles and vests were all provided through the Warehouse and it was questioned why safety shoes were negotiated at all. By having the preselected shoe, there would be uniformity. It was noted recently, an employee dropped something on his/her toe. The employee sustained a fractured toe while wearing steel-toed shoes, but would have lost toes if not wearing those shoes. 2 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, Florida April 13, 2009 Motion Mr. Magazine moved the Safety Committee approve the recommendations of the Risk Management Department and Safety Administrator. Mr. Naughton seconded the motion that unanimously passed. V. Old Business A. Fire Drills Vice Chair Ray Altman reported the Boynton Beach ASC, located at 1717 Woolbright Road had a fire drill and Public Works Department had two. Solid Waste, Hunters Run, the Hester Center and Bethesda Hospital were trained and/or had fire drills. More recently, there were instances when the fire alarm sounded in the main lobby of City Hall. It smelled like someone was smoking in the ground floor ladies restroom. Accordingly, a no-smoking sign would be posted in the ladies room. Departments desiring to have fire drills, or evacuations and drills should contact Mr. McIntyre. Ms. Rivers reported all the recreation facilities were starting their drills next month. Second floor and wheelchair evacuation training was also requested. B. Proud to Be a Safe Worker Awards None. C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings Chair Bobich thanked the members for their inspections and for sending them via email. D. Defensive Driver Course Employees needing to take the course would continue to use the existing program until the new program was available in June or July E. Incident Review Board Referrals None. F. Other VI. New Business A. Departmental Safety Issues None. 3 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, Florida April 13, 2009 B. Other The City's Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) stored in the Warehouse were being checked to ensure they had not exceeded their expiration date. The MREs, ordered after 2005, did not have expiration dates but other meals were expiring in 2010 and were pulled and replaced. The rations have a shelf life of 7 to 10 years when kept in air-conditioned storage. Although they. were stored in air-conditioning, out of an abundance of caution, they were being replaced. It was noted the meals have a very high sodium content and much water is needed. VII. Announcements VIII. Next Meeting Date: Monday, May 11, 2009 There being no further business to discuss, the meeting properly adjourned at 10:23 a.m. (l{jjjll;ur~tc Q0.UJl' Catherine Cherry (J Recording Secretary 4