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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2010-01-01 TOWN OF ITHACA Safety Committee January 15, 2010,8:00 a.m. Present: Jim Weber,Judy Drake,Jon Munson, and Creig Hebdon The meeting began at 8:07 a.m. The December 18,2009,meeting minutes were approved. Old Business The Committee was informed that Peter Archbold did get into the Town Hall attic. He believes that the leaks from the roof are causing mold issues. We have not had anything in writing yet. The Committee discussed when the inside and outside air ratio was changed. We decided it has been about a year. The Committee also discussed that there is new software for the HVAC system. We will look into getting and installing the new software. Incidents and Accidents There has been one new lower back issue that is reportable,but was not reported to Workers Comp. because the employee chose to go to his chiropractor and the chiropractor does not work with Workers Comp. One other incident was a person slipping after a manhole hook slipped out of his hand. This was not reportable. Judy Drake asked that Goals for the Committee and Auto Accidents be put on the agenda for February. Judy indicated that the Town has had several accidents and Insurance Company has raised our rates. Emergency Preparedness Plan Judy handed out the Town's current plan,which was prepared in 1993. This needs to be updated. Safety Committee Minutes,January 15,2010 Page 2 Jim Weber posed the question of do we adopt Tompkins County's or do our own. Judy will talk to Cheryl Nelson from Tompkins County Highway Administration regarding their plan. The Committee decided that staff should be made aware of this plan so they would know what their role in a disaster. This will be put on the agenda for next meeting. The Committee discussed that the Hazard Material Plan needs to be updated also. We should talk to the Ithaca Fire Department regarding this. Drug and Alcohol Policy and Training Gail Kroll informed the Committee that currently the Town does its own training regarding drugs and alcohol. We have sent people to the training that is provided by Energetix. All employees are trained on the effects of drugs and alcohol. Management (including Working Supervisors) should be trained on recognizing if an employee is under the influence. The Committee discussed the training on Meth Labs, and would like to see if it could be provided again. There have been some changes made to the drug and alcohol policy. The one that affects the employees the most is that a person will now have to go in with employee while doing the testing. Another change is that employee will no longer have access to the split specimen. The employees need to know these changes and sign off on them that they have received a copy of the new policy. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m. ghk ti TOWN OF ITHACA Safety Committee March 5, 2010, 8:00 a.m. Present: Jim Weber,Judy Drake,Kristie Rice, Mike Smith, Dave Boyes, and Jack Rueckheim The meeting began at 8:05 a.m. The February 5, 2010, meeting minutes were approved. Incidents and Accidents Judy Drake informed the Committee that the Town's insurance company denied the law suit claim from the Pine Tree Road accident. It was established that the woman hit was not in the crosswalk. The Committee discussed the lighting issue on Pine Tree Road and felt that the crosswalk should be at the intersection. We had two slipping incidents. Both were the day and it was snowing. One person hurt their back,and the other hurt their knee. There was no lost time. The Committee talked about mats being in the doorways,and they are. Town Auto Insurance Rates Judy informed the Committee that we are insured with New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR) for several years. NYMIR is a consortium of municipalities. When they figure out our rates, they go back five years and see how many accidents (flooding,vehicle, sewer, etc.) and how much money was paid out. Our claims are over$45,000. They also put a reserve amount on pending cases. The Committee talked about the lawsuit from 2007 and the one this year. These affect our rates. The Town's rates have been increasing due to all the accidents we have had. We also change vehicles each year. Judy said that we pay about$100,000 a year for insurance. Judy said that NYMIR usually denies claims against accidents involving snow plowing operations because it is concerned an emergency. Safety Committee Minutes,February 5,2010 Page 2 Judy will put together a summary of the Committee to review. Writing Letter to County and State re: Dangerous Intersections Jim has received the data regarding the intersections in question. He wants to look at some of the intersections. The Committee talked about reduction of speed in the area of the dangerous intersections. PERMA Jim will be going to PERMA's annual meeting. Maybe next year a representative from Bolton Point could go. Safety at Bolton Point Judy asked Jack Rueckheim to explain some of the safety practices that Bolton Point exercises. Jack said that he is the safety coordinator and that he coordinates all safety training. He said they rely on PESH for help. Jack said the department heads oversee that safety habits are practiced. He said that not much training is done with clerical staff. Jack said they have monthly safety meeting,which include but are not limited to confined space, driving, and work site safety. He said they use videos quite a bit. The Committee discussed that anyone who is working in confined space areas has to know how to administer CPR. Jack said that Bolton Point has a new fork lift,so they need to have training on how to safely use it. The Committee discussed the fatal accident in 1998. Jack said the lawsuits are still not resolved and he has been giving depositions and been to at least one hearing. This accident made Bolton Point much more aware of safety. Jack told the Committee that Bolton Point uses a lot of chemicals to make the water drinkable. There are up to eight chemicals used in the water. Ken Butler is in charge of their Spill Plan. He works closely with the DEC. ._ s r Safety Committee Minutes,February 5,2010 ' Page 3 They have had fire safety training,and the Ithaca Fire Department has done training for them. Miscellaneous Update on Emergency Response Plan: Tompkins County has set up a meeting for educating elected officials and for people working to update their Plans. Jim will be going to the meeting. Town Hall: The Committee was informed that Town Hall issues have been sent to the Operations Committee to handle. The Committee discussed the issue of no hot water at Town Hall. Jack said that Bolton Point can't use showers because the septic system can't handle it. Training: The Public Work's annual safety training is March 12th and work zone training is April 6th. The Committee felt that the Building Department should be having more training. Kristie Rice said they have training to certify them as inspectors. Confined Space: Kristie talked about the Building Department's dilemma • regarding going into attics and crawl spaces. Judy said she talked to the City of Ithaca, and they do confined space training but not specific to buildings. Kristie said that STOBTA does not do that type of training. If Bolton Point has to go in those places, they put extra people'at the scene. Jack said that Bolton Point has a three page entry form. They don't use it for crawl spaces or attics.. The Committee talked about not having the staff to do something like that (we only have two Code Officers). The Committee talked about having the Building Department staff complete confined space training with Bolton Point, as the Town's is more specific to underground confined spaces. Dave Boyes said that the Public Works staff use a manhole that we built and have the fire department in for rescue. The Committee discussed the fumes that come through the building when the diesel trucks are in the bays. We will be replacing the one that smokes so much (truck 6). We need to remind'people to turn the fans on before starting vehicles. Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m. • .-°/p4! TOWN OF ITHACA Safety Committee June 4,2010, 8:05 a.m. Present: Jim Weber,Judy Drake,Kristie Rice,Mike Smith,Peter Archbald, and Jack Rueckheim The meeting began at 8:05 a.m. The May 4, 2010, meeting minutes were approved with some changes. Incidents and Accidents None Worker's Compensation Judy Drake indicated that the Town received their billing from PERMA. This year it was $91,500. Judy said that it would have beeri higher,but a couple of reserves were taken off,which helped to lower it. Last years was approximately $90,000. Judy said that there was a reform put in place for worker's comp.,but the benefits they thought they would see, did not happen. Judy said that the Town's workers comp. will be going up about$20,000. Summer Interns The Committee discussed what types of training we would be doing for the summer interns. Presently,we show them videos and tour the Town. There are several that have worked here before. We discussed that chaps need to be worn when trimming brush. PERMA • Peter Archbald talked about the new rating system PERMA has instituted. Judy indicated that DOSH logs have to be kept for each accident. The Town conducts background checks on new employees. This is a free service through PERMA. Judy said that she is having some problems getting DMV checks back from PERMA. They are turned down each time. Peter said to call fea Safety Committee Minutes,June 4,2010 Page 2 them to make sure the information was entered correctly. Because of the problems getting them,Judy is paying$5 for each one. Peter said that the "round table" sessions have been well attended and continues to have more people attending. Peter suggested The Town subscribe to the magazine Safety and Health. Violence in the Work Place Peter explained that OSHA has been going to municipalities and making sure they have Violence in the Work Place policy in place. He said that they are making sure that the municipalities are conducting training on this subject annually. He also said that the Town should act on all reports. Town Hall Safety Issues It was reported that the Unified Court system inspected the Town's court room. They were not happy about the table being on wheels and that the chairs were not fastened down. The Committee discussed the issue of lighting in the parking lot. Jim explained that this should be addressed in 2011, as money has been requested in the 2011 budget. • Miscellaneous The Committee discussed traffic controls in work zones. Motorist can be mean to workers, along with not wanting to stop or go a different way. Jack Rueckheim was asked if Bolton Point had any safe guards if there was a terrorist attack. Jack said yes Bolton Point has been assessed. The Committee talked about putting in more gates/fences at Town building, such as pump stations, etc. Most have gates or fences. Jack said that Bolton Point needs to update their fire safety training. There are videos that show how to use a fire extinguisher and it uses the new type of extinguisher. Bolton Point does do training on how to open fire hydrants. They will arrange training,but wants to wait until a DVD machine can be purchased. Safety Committee Minutes,June 4,2010 Page 3 Kristie Gifford said that Ithaca College has offered to conduct training for the Town. We would have to go to their facility, though. It was reported that the police had to be called to court recently, and this has Town Hall staff members concerned that doors are not locked and people from the court can get back to the offices. The Committee discussed locking the doors during court hours and during business hours. They thought it would be reasonable to lock them during court hours,which is about 11h hours. The positive side to this solution is staff feeling safe. The negative is that the Town Clerk's office has to "buzz"people in. The Committee discussed putting in a barrier; maybe a swinging door. Kristie said as long as we follow the codes,it would be OK. This will be referred to the Operations Committee. The Committee decided that we had a good system,but it's not so good now because of time changes, etc. The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 a.m. gkha rn I _1 Safety Committee Minutes,June 4,2010 Page 3 Kristie Gifford said that Ithaca College has offered to conduct training for the Town. We would have to go to their facility, though. It was reported that the police had to be called to court recently, and this has Town Hall staff members concerned that doors are not locked and people from the court can get back to the offices. The Committee discussed locking the doors during court hours and during business hours. They thought it would be reasonable to lock them during court hours,which is about 1 'h hours. The positive side to this solution is staff feeling safe. The negative is that the Town Clerk's office has to "buzz" people in. The Committee discussed putting in a barrier;maybe a swinging door. ICristie said as long as we follow the codes, it would be OK. This will be referred to the Operations Committee. The Committee decided that we had a good system,but it's not so good now because of time changes, etc. The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 a.m. gkh