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Minutes 07-13-10 MINUTES OF THE SAFETY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2010, AT 9 A.M. IN CONFERENCE ROOM B CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Mark Bobich, Chair Ray Altman, Vice Chair Catherine Cherry, Secretary Chuck Magazine Warren Bazemore Mike Dauta Tom Balfe Michael Naughton Samantha Powers Barbara Scott Jody Rivers Safety Administrator Fire Rescue City Clerk Risk Management Public Works Finance/Warehouse Recreation and Parks Library ITS/GIS Police/Code Compliance Recreation and Parks ABSENT: Pam Welsh/Carisse Lejeune Eric Falstad/Jeremey Davis Bevis Pigott Maibet Rosado/Dorothy Mack Mike Rumpf/Chris Mitchell City Manager Golf Course Utilities Human Resources Development I. Call to Order Chair Bobich called the meeting to order at 9: 1 0 a.m. II. Roll Call Roll call was taken. A quorum was present. III. Acceptance of Minutes of June 15, 2010 regular meeting Motion Mr. Naughton moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Scott seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 1 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, FL July 13, 2010 IV. Safety Committee Education & Training Mr. Bobich distributed a handout on lightning safety. The end of June was National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Lightning Safety Week. The information was intended to be distributed to the various departments. Chair Bobich reported lightning precedes storms and could strike 12 miles ahead of the rain and wind. The beach and golf course had lightning detectors at one time. Their website, www.liqhtninqsafetV.noaa.qov, contained valuable information on the subject and he encouraged using the 30/30 rule, which was if lightning preceded thunder by 30 seconds, precautions should be taken. The information would be published with the Safety Bulletin. V. Old Business A. Fire Drills There was a false alarm in the east wing of City Hall. The alarm was cleared before staff found the sensor. Chair Bobich noted all individuals evacuated quickly and the alarm was documented and reset. The paperwork would be forwarded to the Secretary for inclusion with the minutes. B. Proud to be a Safe Worker Award There was one award issued to Code Compliance Officer Courtney Cain. Officer Cain was in his vehicle on Monday, June 14, 2010 at about 4:30 p.m. at the Intersection of Seacrest Boulevard and Boynton Beach Boulevard. He witnessed a van full of children run a red light and hit another vehicle. He relayed for the Code Compliance Office to contact Police Dispatch and he remained with the victims until emergency personnel arrived. C. Departmental Inspections and Safety Meetings The inspections and meetings were kept on the shared drive. Chair Bobich requested submitting the meeting times and dates of the department meetings so he could attend. He explained the members are the safety leaders for the City and they should be able to share information. D. Defensive Driver Course The Defensive Drivers Course was going very well. There were a few vacancies available. If it was unknown whether an employee needed to take the course, they should contact Risk Management. Mr. Magazine reminded the members the course was mandatory for some employees. Additionally, if any City driver received a ticket or moving violation, on duty or off-duty, they are required to notify their supervisor. The City would be conducting their annual Department of Motor Vehicle checks and any 2 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, FL July 13, 2010 violations incurred within the last year that their supervisor was not apprised of could result in disciplinary action. He indicated the supervisor should note the infraction of the record and counsel the employee. It could be a disciplinary issue if the driving infraction was severe. He emphasized the policy was included in the Administrative Policy Manual. Mr. Magazine also cautioned the members that frequently, when an individual switches to a new insurance company, the old insurance company notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles but the new insurance company does not always do so. As a result, unbeknownst to the individual, their license is revoked under Financial Responsibility for failure to have insurance. He emphasized employees should ensure the new insurance company notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles. He pointed out this could also occur with a change of address and it was important to keep their information current. On a different matter there was discussion that defensive driving was one test and a driver's license test was another, but part of safety was obeying the rules. The issue was rules of the road change over time and not all drivers would be aware of those changes. There was a question whether refreshing the rules would be of benefit. Mr. Magazine suggested including adding a "Rules of the Road" in the quarterly Safety Letter. He explained attaching a prize for taking a quiz in the newsletter was effective in getting the word out. The driver's manual contained a listing of questions and some of those could be included. In the future, an OSHA section could also be included. E. Incident Review Board Referrals None. F. Electrical Flame Resistant Uniforms & PPE Update - Tabled This item remained on the table. A meeting would be scheduled and finalized. G. Drug Free Policy Statement This item was deferred to the next meeting. VI. New Business A. Safety Shoe Program Update Mr. Magazine explained the vouchers for the shoes were received. Prior to October 1 st, new employees would obtain the voucher, check off the shoes they desire, fill in their name and account number on the voucher and take it to Ritz Shoes in Pompano Beach to obtain the shoes. After October 1 st, Ritz would deliver the shoes to the Warehouse who would deliver them to the department. There was a brief discussion about the union allowance for the shoes. Affected employees had received the allowance last year, but 3 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, FL July 13, 2010 would instead receive the voucher this year. Mr. Magazine explained if the employees do not like the shoes, it was not a City issue. If, however, Ritz determined the employee could not be fitted for the shoes, they would then be allowed to purchase shoes and be reimbursed up to $90. The safety shoes were Timberlane shoes. The Personnel Protective Equipment policy in the Administrative Policy Manual contained the information regarding who was required to wear the shoes. Mr. Magazine also explained Risk Management should be contacted if an employee had a doctor's note indicating they could not wear the shoes. The City's doctor, used for Worker's Compensation could contact the employee's physician or have them examined to make the determination of whether they could wear the shoes at that time. In the past, employees used a five-year old doctor's note. Accordingly, doctor's note would be verified as current and updated as needed. B. Departmental Safety Issues None. C. Other Red light cameras were discussed at a prior meeting and then set aside due to pending state legislation. A request for an update was made. Mr. Magazine explained the Governor signed the red light bill. Last week the City had the first reading of the change to the City's ordinance which had to be enacted, and then the program had to be approved. He was hopeful the program would be implemented shortly. The City and the Police Department identified the intersections. Last week the Police Department monitored the southbound ramp onto Gateway because there were numerous occasions where drivers believed they could make a right hand turn from the left lane, and several accidents occurred. Mr. Magazine explained comments had been made that the program being implemented was to generate revenue and not for safety. It was noted; however, if the program worked, it would generate less money each year as the public conformed to the program's requirements. Graphic videos on You Tube were available showing the consequences of running red lights. The argument had been made there would be more rear-end collisions, but they are not as serious as being involved in a T-bone accident. A survey taken in West Palm Beach reported an increase in rear-end collisions; however, upon a more detailed review, that increase amounted to one additional collision. Mr. Magazine also explained each case can be appealed. A Police Officer would view the video and make the determination. The violations are a City Code violations, not a 4 Meeting Minutes Safety Committee Boynton Beach, FL July 13, 2010 motor vehicle infraction. Under the program, fines are assessed against the owner of the vehicle and not the driver. The camera locations would could be at the intersections of Congress Avenue and Woolbright Road, Boynton Beach Boulevard, and Gateway Boulevard, and at the intersection at Federal Highway and SW 23rd Street. VII. Announcements None. VIII. Next Meeting Date The next meeting would be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2010,9 a.m. IX. Adjournment Motion Mr. Magazine moved to adjourn. Mr. Balfe seconded the motion that unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:48 a.m. /l.l1tlulUtlL Qh) ILLL Catherine Cherry - - -0 Recording Secretary 072010 5