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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafety Committee Minutes (17) Safety Meeting on February 24, 2016 Agenda: ' Discussion of use of cell phones while driving as included in the Personnel Policy Manual (MMIA) ', Trenching/Confined spaces—retraining,class or updating ' Documentation for employee training on new skills , Progress on revising the safety manual � Computerized training for the shop Remodeling of city hall spaces Eye wash stations checked weekly and fire extinguishers checked monthly in all buildings and equipment Any other concerns that need to be addressed Attendance per sign in sheet: Keith Kolstad,Justin Baker, Fran Schweigert, Matt Wheeler,Tim Reiter, Brent Peters, Brandon Corey, Nancy Schmidt, Nathan Herman. The meeting came to order at 1:30 pm. In the new Personnel Manual on page 25, item number 6, it states that all employees who operate city vehicles are prohibited from using cell phones while driving unless a hands free device is used. Brent remarked that the emergency services many times will have the necessity to use a cell phone during an emergency situation while driving in order to control the scene or situation. He said the city of Billings has recognized that particular exception and perhaps we should also revise this for fire and EMS. Since Chief Musson was not present we were unsure how this would affect the police responses in case of emergencies. But besides emergency situations it was stated that the policy was in effect with the only exception being use of a device like the Blue Tooth, which Heidi had remarked previously that the city would be willing to purchase for city phones. A combination training session with the fire department and the public works department on training with the rescue equipment for confined spaces is needed. At least two or more classes would be necessary to encompass all employees in the use of both the PW and FD rescue equipment. Furthermore refresher training,conducted by a competent person within the PW department on confined spaces and trenching is needed as some personnel may need it. Brent said that if we need a good trainer on confined space that Jimmy Williams out of Louisiana is one of the best. Brent was very in favor of cross-training and also wanted to be alerted whenever a hole is opened up that requires trenching and confined space so he has a heads-up in case a call comes in. (Note added per Keith to summary: It was pointed out at a training session on February 24 that OSHA does not consider calling 911 as a substitute for employee training on rescue in case of falls or other eventsJ Keith explained the OSHA rule for training new employees in the use of equipment,such as forklifts,garbage trucks,and other equipment. We have a form that is from the OSHA site for documenting this training. Once submitted it will be put in the employee's personnel file. The progress on the safety manual has been very slow,due to OSHA changes in the New Year,due in part to j Gary's retirement and assumption of those duties in the January and February. Also the amount of suggestions received during the review period were large,the majority of them which were identi�ed some real needs to make changes. The present manual is still in use(Note added per Keith to summary: on page 6 of new personnel manual it does state that all employees are required to comp/y with safety standardsJ. Keith gave no precise date as to when the revised manual may be done but it depends on Gary's replacement coming on line to a great extent. lt has been suggested by Kurt Markegard to put a computer into the shop area for training purposes and other purposes such as time sheets. Matt Wheeler remarked that Kurt and Chief Musson were looking at a total , phone/internet system that would cut costs to the city significantly while also making it available to all city areas. I In lieu of adding another internet connection to the shops at this time we are looking at this system in the future. , ,� Keith noted that remodeling of city hall its taking place on the second floor. The intent is to make it more secure. ! Keith asked each department to be sure that the eye wash stations and that the fire extinguishers were being I checked on their weekly(eyewash)and monthly(extinguishers)basis in all buildings and equipment. It would be up to the supervisors to assign someone this task. Beartooth Fire,being Terry O'Toole,will continue to service the extinguishers and Keith will maintain the documentation on that facet of the inspection process. Fran said that he was working on a mower safety list/sheet to help train seasonal aides and would use the documentation sheet to track that. ' It was noted that First Aid and CPR reaccreditation was lacking. Brent said that we now have instructors for both available and that there would be a charge in order to get the certificates renewed or new employees trained. At least 2 classes would be held a.nd Brent said the trainers could actually come to sites such as the water and sewer plants to conduct the classes on-site. The SCBAs at the water/sewer plant complex that while they may still be functioning properly are out dated as far as service dates for hydro testing and perhaps fit testing. Since they are used rarely refresher training should be done. Also several employees have facial hair,which will not allow them to pass the fit test. New SCBAs were proposed to be purchased along with the FD ones but that did not happen. Nat noted that instead of SCBAs ' perhaps an in-house air system that utilized an airline and hoods that allows some facial hair along with a constant air source backed up by 10 minute escape cylinders might be better than ordering new SCBA. Nat suggested that Air Gas out of Wyoming has a product/compressor system that would work at both plants in lieu of the SCBA. ' Air monitors need to be documented in the field as to bump testing at least monthly and calibrated one every 3 months by DXP. Matt wanted to check to see exactly what was required of the documentation on these devices. Since Guy Rolison was absent he was unaware of the maintenance schedule and testing for our air monitors. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 pm.