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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Safety_07/22/1996 E ; �; VI�,L,ACiE ()F T1E��J��`i'f� , Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Teq�esta Drive ' ' Tequesta, F7orida 33469-0773 � (407) 57`��62(10 J ` Fax: (407) 575-b203 °- a , � a o d 4 ,c H COUN� VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JULY 22, 1996 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Safety Committee held its initial meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Monday, July 22, 1996. The meeting was called to order at 3:00 P.M. by Acting Chairman Tom Hall, Water System Manager. Committeemembers present were: William A11en, Archie Garret, Joann Manganiello, Joanne McCabe, Bob Pieris, and James Weinand. Mr. Hall expzained that because of a misunderstandzng that some employees who should attend had not been notified. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Joann Manganiello made a motion to accept the agenda as stated. Motion was seconded by James Weinand. The vote on the motion was: Tom Hall - for William Allen - for Archie Garret - for Joann Manganiello - for Joanne McCabe - for Bob Pieris - for James Weinand - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda was approved as submitted. III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES There were no previous meeting minutes as this was the first RF�c!It'It'il Nr�j�r-r Safety Commi.ttee Meeting Minutes July 22, 1996 Page 2 ---------------- meeting of the Safety Committee. iv. o�n svszrr�ss There was no old business as this was the first meeting of the Safety Committee, V. NEW BUSINESS A. Elect a Chairman and Co-Chairman James Weinand made a motian to defer election of a Chairman and Co-Chaizman to the next meeting in light of the fact that a11 members were not in attendance, Joanne McCabe seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Tom Hall - for William Allen - for Archie Garret - for Joann Manganiello - for Joanne McCabe - for Bab Pieris - for James Weinand - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. B. Approve a Mission Statement Mr. Hall referred to the ,following proposed mission statement and called for discussion: To constructively assist the Viliage in making The workplace a safer and more healthful environment, thereby reducing the incidence of occupational injuries, illness and fatalities, Mr. Weinand questioned how far this Committee was empowered to go, and specifically what trainin.g levels should be recommended. Acting Chairman Hall responded to Mr. Weinand's question regarding the responsibilities of this Cammittee that the baseline for the Committee's Safety Committee Meeting Minutes July 22, 1996 Page � ---------------- powers were listed in items (a) through (g} on page four of Administrative Policy No. 4-95/96, and that the Workers Compensation provider, RISCORP, had provided suggested formats for certain form5 and letters, etc. Ms. Manganiello commented that outside groups would come in to perform training session� in-house. Mr. Weinand suggested that the mission statement might contain wording such as to constructively ass�st the Village in recommendations for training to meet OSHA standards, and that �ood as well as bad should be addressed. Mr. Hall suggested that the Committee's scope went beyond such items as wearing sea�belts when driving vehicle�, proper lifting techniques, and wearing safety apparel to policies for screening in hiring and placement of employees, using background Workers Comp checks, hea�th questionnai�es, medical history, etc. Mr. Weinand suggested that the warding and its employees be inserted after the word Vil3age in the mission statement. Ms. Manganiello suggested that the handout of the proposed mission statement b� used as a core and that each member use that page as a worksheet to build on the statement, and bring that sheet back to the next meeting. Joann Manganiella made a motion that each Coa�i.tteeznember build on the mission statement as presented and bring their ideas back to the next meeting for further review. Bob Pieris seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Tom Hall - for William Al1en - for Archie Garret - for Joann Manganiello - for Joanne McGabe - for Bob Pieris - for James Weinand - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. C. Review Committee Duties and Functions: Safety Committee Meeting Minutes July 22, 1996 Page 4 ---------------- The Committee discussed items (a) through (g} of Administrative Po�icy No. 4-95/96 and Safety Rules, Policies and Procedures: How to Develop Safety Ru1es provxded �n each packet. Mr. Hall explained that a general safety policy should be formulated for Village- wide adoption, and requested that each Committeernember review handout V-D for recommendation �o the Village Manager. During discussion of item (a), Mr. Weinand questioned whether the Committee wouid do inspections of the workplace, and the meaning of the wording When approved b� the Village. Ms. Manganiello cammented that the Committee must produce a Safety Policy for approval by the Village Council, which would probably be approved in resalution form as an administrative action in order to provide verification and justification for a 100 �orkers Comp discount. The need to obtain copies of Florida Statute 442.012 and 38I-74.004 of the Florida Administrative Code was discussed. Discussion ensued reqa�ding workplace inspections. Mr. Hall reported that GRIT recommended a Safety Dzrector position, and had provided forms for Department Heads to use for investigatians; and requested that each member review the ' forms provided before the next meeting to determine their applicability to their division. It was suggested that the general overall safety inspection checklist form prouided containing ten items could be used by adding another column for non-applicable items. It was suggested that since each department had its own safety concerns and hazards that empioyer and employee representatives review the general safety inspection checklist form and add their concerns to make a form specific to each department. During discussion of how safety inspections would be conducted, Mr. Weinand suggested that subcommittees be formed to work on inspections, investigations, etc. Mr. Pieris sugg�sted that since Workers Comp offered a discount to other area municipalities that tho�e municipalities might already have formulated guidelines and torms which the Committee co�ld obtain to use as a base instead of starting from scratch. Ms. Manganiello Safety Committee Meeting Minutes July 22, 199fi Page 5 commented that she would request that her secretary contact other municipalities to have them forward any adopted safety policies currently in use for review at the next meeting. Mr. Hall suggested that RISCORP be �ontacted to provide a representative to attend a meeting to answer questions. It was suggested that a duplicate form for use during safe�y inspections could provide a copy for the Department Head and a copy for the Committee's files. During further discussion of item (a}, it was generally agreed that safety inspections of each depar'tment would be performed b� a subcommittee of three neutral people twice each year; that once checklists were established a poliey would be formulated stating that each department head would be charged with the safety of their employees and each department would perform a check monthly and be charged with the responsibility of maintaining their own list. A11 inspections would be documented and filed as proof of implementation of safety policies. The Committee discussed extensively how to assure that there would be no recourse against employees who reported safety hazards in their department. Suggestions included that all employees be notified that the Safety Committee now existed and that they should report any safety concerns to their supervisor. If no results were obtained from the supervisor, then a violation form could be presented to the Safety Committee, which would contain the infarmation of when the supervisor had been notified. A form should also be implemented for suggestions to improve safety, which would become a part of the policy. Item (b) was discussed, including the fact that policy rn.ust be approved by the Village Council, that everyone must be made aware that the Committee existed, and that Workers Comp forms should be filled out to dacument in writing all injuries even when not required by the Workers Comp carrier. Another point discussed was that a meeting of the Committee would need to be called after the subcommittee had conducted an investigation so that their findings could be heard and a plan formulated to prevent further such incidents. A concern was expressed that the Workers Comp carrier could deny a claim if an Safet� Commi.ttee Meeting Minutes July 22, 1996 Page 6 accident occurred while an employee was perforrning a functian in violation of an established safety procedure- -such as lifting an object of more than 50 pounds. After discussion, it was decided to refer that question to the RISCORP representative at a future �eeting. Further discussion of item (b) was deferred until a Police Department representative was present. Discussion of items {c) and td) brought out that each person should be responsible for and aware of safety precautions; that the employer should provide training and infarmation; that in developing a safety policy the Committee must consider items such as whethe� lifting 50 pounds was too heavy and what should happen if an employee were placed in jeopardy by being required ta lift an object heavier than the amount specified; that Workers Comp benefits could be cut 25o under Florida Statute; that the whole idea for the discount on Worker5 Comp was education and training for the employee to cut down on injuries and the risk of injuries on the job; and that the findings of this Committee were not reported to RISCORP. Further discussion of these items was postponed until copies of the Fiorida Statu�e and Florida Adrninistrative Code referenced in item (d) could be obtained. Items (e) and tf) pertained to pasting notices of meetings so that any employee co�ld attend if their schedule permitted; and posting the Committee's meeting minutes so that they would be available to all employees (after approval by the Village Council, if required). Discussion of records retention as referenced in Item G was that three years was standard policy. D) Discuss a Village Safety Policy and Notifi�ation of Same Mr. Hall commented that af�er the Village Safety Policy was completed and approved by the Village Council, each employee would need to be natified and possibly sign that they agreed to follow the guidelines. Ms. Manganiello commented that this was the first step towards obtaining a Workers Comp discount. Mr. Hall stated �that the first Safety Committee M�eeting Minutes July 22 , ].996 Page 7 ---------------- goal of the Committee was to establish �the safety policies for submittal to the Village Council. E) Review RISCORP i�ecommendations Each member of the committee was provided with a packet of informa�ion from. RISCORP. F) Discuss Workers Compensa�ion Reporting Procedu�es Mr. Weinand expressed concern regarding the procedure of only phoning in injur� infarmation and not having written documentation in the file. Mr. Hall indicated that he had gotten blood poisoning from a scratch, and commented that all supervisors should make it mandatory that employees report an.y injury no matter how minor, and that a form be filled out and filed. Mr. Weinand commented that firefighters who only worked every three days might not see their lieutenant for 9 days which was past the workers comp reporting time. Discussion ensued regarding a form to insure a pap�r trail which cauld include whether First Call had been notified; whether the employee was treated or m.issed work; and documentation of handling hazardous materials in case a future illness resulted. The suggested general policy was if in doubt to fill out a form, and that specific policy should be that a form be filled out for any injury. Mr. Hall commented t�.at a good question for the RISCORP representative would be whether First Call should be called for everything, even a minor cut, or at what 1eve1 they should be called. Minor injuries if not docuntented to First Call should be documented to the Safety Committee, so that passibly the problem that caused the injury could be corrected. Joanne McCabe commented that the last Fire Department inspection. o� the Community Development Department building the prior year had indicated there was not enough roQm for employees to move around without running into things, and nothing had been done, which should be addressed. G) R�cord Keeping anc� Reporting - C3SHA Form 200 Safety Committee Meeting Minutes July 22, 1996 Page 8 Requirement to post Osha form 200 in each department was discussed. Discussion ensued regarding the requirement far the form if the employer had eleven or more employees. Mr. Hall indicated he would try to find out whether the form was to be Village-wicle or for each department. VI. ANY OTHER MATTERS Ms. Manganiello expressed concern where funds would be obtained by this Committee for such items as printing forms, repairs to make the workplace safer, etc. Discussion included that training costs were included in departmental budg'ets, and that Finance Director Bill Kascavel.is could be consuited as to the budget line item which would apply for the Committee's incidental expenses. Safety videos from various departments and Safety Council pamphlets were suggested as a source for training employees. Mr. Weinand requested that any inforination gathered prior to a Committee meeting be disseminated to the members so that they could s�udy the information before the meeting. Date and tim.e of the next meeting was set for• Tuesday, August 27, 1996 at 3 P.M. It was suggested that the Committee hold regular quarterly meetings, with more frequ�nt meetings in the beginning, possibly approximately every six weeks. It was requested that the Committee hold one more meeting before inviting a RISCORP representative to make a presentation. The agenda for the next mee�ing was praposed to be basically the same as for this meeting, with the items under New Business moved to Old Business. Mr. Weinand volunteered to work on the safety checklist and requested that other members provide any ideas to him prior to the next meeting. Safety Committee Meeting Minutes July 22, 1996 Page 9 ---------------- VII. ADJOURNN�NT Mr. Weinand made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Bill Al1en. The vote on the motion was: Tom Hall - for William Allen - for Archie Garret - for Joann Manganiello - for Joanne McCabe - for Bob Pieris - for James Weinand - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, �_ � � c`?.:� / � ' '`� � i .C-'� ,� �,. Betty Laur Recording Secretary ATTEST: Tom Hall Acting Chairman DATE APPROVED: �- �.�- 9�