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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes_Safety_09/26/2008MINUTES SAFETY MEETING COMMITTEE 345 TEQUESTA DRIVE, TEQUESTA FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 10:00 A.M. CALL TO ORDER AN D ROLL CALL The Village of Tequesta Safety Committee held a regular meeting in the Emergency Operations Center of the Public Safety Building, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Friday, September 26, 2008. The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. A roll call was taken by Ms. Merlene Reid, Human Resources. Committee Members present were: Derek Velez, Ernest McGee, Mike Sudell, Kathleen Worley, Fire Chief Weinand and Merlene Reid. Charles Burnsed arrived at 10:16. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Committee Member Ernest McGee motioned to approve the agenda as submitted; seconded by Kathleen Worley; motion carried unanimously. APRROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Committee Member Derek Velez motioned to approve the June 13, 2008 minutes as submitted; seconded by Committee Member Worley. INTRODUCTION Ms. Merlene Reid, Human Resources Director introduced guest Ellen Jones, Director of Risk Management for the Gehring Group. Ms. Jones discussed the Village's worker's compensation claims. She advised that the Village has a good handle on the number of claims submitted, but the there is room for improvement to ensure that the level of claims does not increase. UNFINISHED BUSINESS safety handbook (draft) Ms. Reid asked for changes or recommendations for the safety handbook. Kathleen Worley from the Parks and Recreation Department inquired a statement made in the handbook requiring all Village vehicles to carry to a fire extinguisher. She advised that vehicles in her department do not have fire extinguishers available. All committee members agreed it would be good practice to store fire extinguishers in all Village vehicles. Mr. McGee asked if the Fire Inspector would be able to give fire extinguishers to the Parks and Recreation Department. Ms. Reid asked Ms. Worley to speak to Greg Corbitt, Director of Parks and Recreation to ensure all vehicles in his department were equipped with fire extinguishers. Chief Weinand advised the correct type of fire extinguisher to be used would be 2A 10 BC, 5 lbs., and the type as indicated on page 30-13 of the drafted handbook would be correct. Ms. Reid stated the deadline for the final draft would be in 2 weeks and mentioned the handbooks would include a page for each employee to sign indicating they have received a copy. Safety Committee Meeting Minutes September 26, 2008 Page 2 NEW BUSINESS FMIT Video Library Ms. Reid reported that the Florida League of Cities has a video library of training videos and provided all committee members with a list of videos available for check out. There is no return deadline, but it was unclear if all committee members had access to the videos or if it was only available to a selected individuals. Ms. Jones of the Gehring Group informed the committee of specialized training programs available in the area for Village employees to attend. Ms. Jones also mentioned her organization could provide sample safety policies to .use as a guideline to write the Village's policies. Chief Weinand inquired if there were sample policies on chainsaws and equipment. Ms. Jones was uncertain if she had those available and would double check, she also stated she could do a survey to request information from other municipalities similar to size the Village. Chief Weinand asked to be notified of her findings. PRESENTATION & ANALYSIS OF EACH DEPARTMENT'S SAFETY CHECKLIST Captain Burnsed discussed the Fire Department's quarterly inspection and reported everything was in good order with the exception of numerous lights in the parking lot being out. He advised that an electrician should be called to fix the problem. Captain Burnsed also stated he has trained other personnel to become familiar with the inspection report and the inspection process. Mr. McGee reported the Public Works and Water Department inspections were completed and there were no findings to discuss. Mr. Velez completed an inspection for the Police Department in July and reported there were no findings to discuss. Ms. Worley of the Park and Recreation Department stated there was an inspection of the vehicles in her department. Ms. Worley reported the van would need new windshield wipers and the building would be inspected in October. Ms. Reid stated Village Hall was inspected in June. She also stated the Village Manager hit his head on the television in the kitchen and it has since been moved. Ms. Reid requested assistance in conducting an inspection during evening hours, to which the Police Department agreed to help. ANALYSIS OF WORKPLACE INJURIES June 13, 2008-Present Ms. Reid announced there was only one injury to be presented to the committee. She reported on an employee from the Water Department who received medical attention for a gash on his left leg. Ms. Reid went on to say the employee cut his leg on a pipe while installing it and he was absent from work on August 14-17, 2008. She stated there were witnesses present and the employee received immediate medical attention. Ms. Reid also mentioned the Water Department supervisor would discuss safety while working around ductile pipes at their next department safety meeting. Ms. Worley asked if the employee's name should be disclosed due to HIPAA laws. Ms. Jones state ordinarily, names should not be given, but due to the small size of the Village, it is difficult not to keep the matter private. Chief Weinand explained HIPAA laws mostly affected his department since the Fire Department cannot disclose information on patients they treat. He also mentioned that medical billers could not give out personal information either and that other departments in the Village were not bound to HIPAA laws. Chief Weinand suggested it would be good practice to omit the employee's name or social security Safety Committee Meeting Minutes September 26, 2008 Page 3 numbers from files to be copied. The committee unanimously agreed to redact such employee information going forward. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Jones provided handouts on the purpose of forming a safety committee, and advised she would share would share with the committee things she found on centralized safety. Ms. Jones advised she could provide information on what other entities are doing and can relay that information to Ms. Reid. There was no additional business. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:38 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, r Merlene Rei Safety Committee Chair