Minutes 11-09-10
MINUTES OF THE BOYNTON BEACH SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2010 AT 9:00 A.M.
IN CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM B, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
PRESENT:
Mark Bobich, Chair
Mike Landress, Vice-Chair
Warren Bazemore
Mike Dauta
Jody Rivers
Jeremy Davis
Samantha Powers
Barbara Scott and Lt. Jeffrey Katz
Safety Administrator
Fire Rescue
Public Works
FinancelWarehouse
Recreation & Parks
Golf Course
ITS/GIS
Police/Code Compliance
ABSENT:
Pam Welsh/Carisse Lejeune
Maibet Rosado/Dorothy Mack
Michael Naughton/Karen Abramson
Catherine Cherry, Secretary
Michael Rumpf/Chris Mitchell
Chuck Magazine
Bevis Pigott
City Manager
Human Resources
Library
City Clerk
Development
Risk Management
Utilities
I. Call to Order
Chair Bobich called the meeting to order at approximately 9: 15 a.m.
II. Roll Call
Roll call was taken. Attendance is noted above. A quorum was present.
III. Acceptance of Minutes of 10/12/2010 regular meeting
Motion
A motion was made by Mr. Dauta to approve the minutes as written. Mr. Landress
seconded the motion that unanimously passed.
IV. Safety Committee Education & Training - tbd
A very brief video regarding Ergonomics was forthcoming. Some employees had
incurred injuries due to the improper use of equipment. Consequently, a series of
PowerPoint training presentations on ergonomics was available. Departments
interested in the information should contact Risk Management.
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Meeting Minutes
Safety Committee
Boynton Beach, FL
November 9, 2010
V. Old Business
A. Fire Drills
An emergency evacuation video was being prepared by Risk Management. No fire
drills had been conducted.
B. Proud to be a Safe Worker Awards
None.
C. Departmental Inspections & Safety Meetings
Chair Bobich thanked the members for submitting the information electronically.
D. Incident Review Board Referrals
None.
E. Electrical Flame Resistant Uniforms & PPE Update - TABLED 10/12/2010
This item remained on the table.
F. Drug Free Policy Statement (HR - Maibet Rosado) - TABLED 10/12/2010
This item remained on the table.
G. Safety Manual- Banning use of hand-held cell phones while driving -
TABLED 10/12/2010
A copy of the draft policy was distributed to the members.
Lt. Jeffrey Katz, Boynton Beach Police Department, expressed concern about the
policy and went on record and explained there was a difference between a
representative being unavailable to attend the Safety Committee meetings and a
conscious choice to not participate in the discussion.
Mr. Katz explained he obtained a copy of the Florida Highway Patrol directive governing
wireless voice and data communications, which he submitted to the Committee. The
policy stated that it was "the policy of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) to permit the use
of wireless voice data communications devices." It encouraged the members to use
earpieces, including wired ear buds. He referenced comments made at the last meeting
that the FHP was setting the tone and police departments should follow what they
suggested. Mr. Katz explained they adopted their policy as a result of the Florida
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Safety Committee
Boynton Beach, FL
November 9,2010
Highway and Motor Vehicle policy. He commented what was occurring was third
generation thinking that was factually inaccurate. The FHP policy was ratified last
month.
Mr. Katz put on record, while the FHP policy encouraged members to use hands-free
devices, the City's policy mandates the use of hands-free devices, so the Department
policy issued in 2008 was more restrictive than the model policy. One thing the Police
Department does is research their policies. Mr. Katz distributed peer review articles
depicting there was no increased benefit to the use of hands-free devices. The issue
was "divided attention." The media attention cell phone use had garnered over the last
year was extreme and that issue was the larger of the two. The Police operate two-way
radios or GPS systems. Mr. Landress also concurred there are occasions when it would
not be appropriate to use a radio and only a phone would suffice.
There was consensus to leave the exception for emergency services in the Safety
Manual at this time. Discussion followed about compliance as opposed to commitment.
Individuals look to do the bare minimum. A shift to where a driver's focus was would be
beneficial. Texting was the big issue.
VI. New Business
A. Departmental Safety Issues
B. Claims Cost Analysis - TABLED 10/12/2010
This item remained on the table.
C. Other
VII. Announcements
The Fire Department was offering the third and last Flu Clinic to employees and their
families at the Library from 1 :00 to 5:00 p.m. There were 80 doses of the vaccine left
and doses would be administered on a first-come, first-served basis.
VIII. Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 9:00 a.m.
Chair Bobich thanked the members for attending.
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Meeting Minutes
Safety Committee
Boynton Beach, FL
November 9,2010
IX. Adjournment
Motion
Mr. Davis moved to adjourn. Mr. Landress seconded the motion that unanimously
passed. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:35 a.m.
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Recording Secretary
120610
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