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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Safety_12/13/2007MINUTES SAFETY COMMITTEE 345 TEQUESTA DRIVE, TEQUESTA THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2007 10:00 A.M. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Village of Tequesta Safety Committee held a regular meeting in the Village Managers Conference Room, 345 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida,- on Thursday, December 13, 2007. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. A roll call was taken by Ms. Merlene Reid, Human Resources. Committee Members present were: Kathleen Worley, Ernest McGee, Charles Burnsed, Derek Velez and Merlene Reid. Committee Member Maureen McGuinniss arrived at 10:05 and Mike Sudell was absent. Fire Chief James Weinand also attended. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Committee Member McGee motioned to approve the agenda as submitted; seconded by Committee Member Worley; motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Committee Member Velez motioned to approve the September 11, 2007 minutes as submitted; seconded by Committee Member McGee, motion carried unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS implement Ms. Merlene Reid, Human Resources Manager stated the employee schedule for Safety Training and Village-Wide Self Inspection Reports were brought back for discussion after she and Fire Chief Weinand discussed improving the Safety Program and updating the policy to be more efficient. Ms. Reid noted she would like to see additional participation in respect of the self inspection reports. Ms. Kathleen Worley, Recreation Supervisor, reported the recreation department had implemented their first self inspection report in October and was due for their second report which would be turned submitted in February. Chief Weinand felt one form would not cover all needs for each individual department and stated the form would .need to be flexible in its requirements. Ms. Reid agreed and commented the form should be as consistent as possible and suggested one or two representatives from the Committee to be involved in the process of developing the form template. Chief Weinand asked if Ms. Reid was referring to the vehicle inspection and commented that Officer Velez would have more knowledge of the vehicle & safety checks. Maureen McGuiness joined the meeting at 10:05 a.m Safety Committee Meeting Minutes. December ig, 200 Page 2 ----------------------------------- Ms. Reid commented that it was suggested to her as the Risk Manager that she should be updated regularly from each department thorough completed reports on any problems in a specific department and the progress of the steps taken to repair the problem's. She also encouraged each department togive-their input on what should be included on the forms. Chief Weinand asked what the budget figure was. Ms. Reid explained that this program could exist with little fees and stated the program would be figured into the next budget since each employee would need to be trained. She confirmed she would be in charge of coordinating specific training through Human Resources and each department may have requirements of their own. Chief Weinand explained there would be cost for refilling fire extinguishers, if they were used for training purposes. He stated he would offer his services to support the program and noted that basic first aid was not required, but employees could take it if they chose. Ms. Worley explained that all employees of the summer camp program must be certified in CPR & first aid as required by Parks and Recreation, but was not always in the budget. Ms. Reid commented that CPR was discussed and made a requirement by the Committee. She suggested setting up training to coordinate with the Parks and Recreation training and felt sending a person from each department to cut down on cost could be an option. She asked if the Fire department was paid for the training. Chief Weinand responded the overtime was paid for their department. Ms. Worley felt that the training should be scheduled as soon as possible so employees could be notified. She asked if an employee missed the training would they be offered a makeup date and felt that they may need to go outside the Village for the training. Discussion ensued. Mr. Charles Burnsed, Fire Officer asked if department heads were required to take any additional NIMS courses. Ms. Reid responded not at this time. NEW BUSINESS Review of Personnel Policy 7.1 -Safety Committee Ms. Reid stated that the Committee should be more specific on what their purpose was. She confirmed a safety handbook must be developed this year and felt a new draft should be started and stated the handbook would need to go to Council for review. She referenced policy statement # 7.1 and felt it needed to be more specific. Chief Weinand felt the statement should be more of a philosophy and stated the Village valued safety and their employees. Ms. Reid affirmed the statement could be deleted and replaced with a general philosophy. Chief Weinand added it would be every employee's responsibility to follow the safety procedures. Ms. Reid noted that the policy required specific departments and employees to join the Safety Committee Meeting Minutes December 13, 200 Page 3 Committee and would like the Committee to decide which departments should be required. Ms. Reid advised that Code enforcement was rated the second highest risk on the workers compensation insurance and added there was only one person in that department which would make it difficult to be involved. Mr. Burnsed felt high risk departments should be on the Committee. Ms. Reid stated employees could volunteer. Mr. Velez suggested appointing employees if volunteers did not come forward. Ms. Reid confirmed with the Committee that employees could be appointed by department heads. Chief Weinand stated the wording for participants from his department should state participants must rank below a Captain and noted the Committee should not be over weighted by department heads. Ms. Reid stated a representative from Public Works, Parks & Recreation and Utilities should be required and suggested removing the Director of Public Works and the Police Chief. She also noted the Human Resource title was now titled Human Risk/Risk Manager instead of Director. Ms. Reid commented that representatives would serve a term of three years and could continue with additional terms unless the department head decided different. She confirmed she would represent Village Hall and Community Development could be released after the present meeting. She also suggested the Committee elect a co-chair. Chief Weinand felt he should be added as a Committee member and felt a chair should be appointed before the co-chair. Ms. Reid expressed her opinion that the Committee group would benefit by having a person such as Chief Weinand with such a broad knowledge of safety. Chief Weinand offered himself asthe co-chair. Mr. Burnsed agreed that would be a good idea. Ms. Reid confirmed that she was the Chair, per the Village's policy. Ms. Reid discussed the Safety Committee meeting quarterly. Chief Weinand suggested meeting more often until the Committee felt more structured. Ms. Reid commented that future meetings will be held at the EOC (emergency operation center) in consideration forthe Committee members thatwould be on call during meetings. Ms. Reid referenced to the development of a new handbook. Ms. Worley questioned what items would be required in the handbook. Ms. Reid responded that items such as basic safety rules, bandage applications and dealing with injuries. Mr. Velez suggested lifting techniques be added as well. Chief Weinand commented that CPR certification should be made policy Ms. Reid felt the handbook should be a quick reference guide and a policy book would have to be drafted first and stated she would do a rough draft of policies for the next meeting. ANALYSIS OF WORKPLACE INJURIES: October 1, 2007 -Present Ms. Reid referred to two injuries within the time frame of October 1, 2007 to present. She stated the reason for reporting incidents was to help with evaluating if the incident could have been prevented. Chief Weinand asked if a report was done at the time of the incident Safety Committee Meeting Minutes December i3, 200 Page 4 ----------------------------------- so that there would be a form of reference and suggested getting a copy of the Workman's Compensation report to eliminate duplicate work. Mr. McGee explained the circumstance for the injury he was familiar with and stated it could have been prevented. Ms. Reid stated that in the case of an incident each department should fill out a detailed report and hand it in to the Human Resource department. Ms. Worley stated that a detailed report was taken at the Skate Park and camps and a separate form was used for vehicles accidents. Ms. Reid stated that the Parks and Recreation forms could be used by the Safety Committee as reference to develop a standard form for all departments. Ms. Reid commented on the development of a handbook detailing the issuance of standard drug test when injuries occur. Mr. McGee stated the Union had strict guide lines stopping business's from mandatory drug testing. Ms. Reid indicated that the policy stated if an injury occurred on Company time a drug test would be required. Chief Weinand explained that there was a difference between random testing under suspicion and mandatory drug testing after an injury. He added that two people would have to be suspicious to justify ordering an employee to be drug tested. Mr. Burnsed stated in the past employees had driven themselves to be drug tested after an incident and he felt that the employee should be driven by a supervisor or other Village employee. Mr. Velez asked if sufficient notice could be given to department heads when the Safety Committee meeting was scheduled. He stated that he was attending today's meeting on his day off because of short notice and late notice could also add to unnecessary overtime. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There was no additional business. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m. espectfully submitted, h ~~~~ /`~ Deanna Mayo / Recording Secretary ~