HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Safety Committee Meeting 021402s
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CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
MEMORANDUM
TO: Department Heads, Assistant Department Heads & Supervisors
DATE: February 26, 2002
FROM: Phyllis Stirparo, Risk Management
SUBJECT: Safety Committee Minutes — February 14, 2002
SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
MEETING DATE: February 14, 2002 CALLED TO ORDER: 10:00 a.m.
ADJOURNED: 10:41 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chris Brown, Fire - Vice Chair
Bud Brown, Building
Jay McKee, Public Works
Ketty Labossiere, Finance
Glenn Brown, Police
• Fred Rodgers, Parks
Phyllis Stirparo, Risk Mgmt. - Chair
OLD BUSINESS
■ A review of the medical treatment and auto accident costs listed below were
discussed.
2001 -02 Dollars Spent
Medical Treatment Citywide $ 2,378 Days Lost 41 Loss Ratio: .17
Auto Accidents Citywide $ 1,197(2) Light Duty 59
2000 -01 Dollars Spent
Medical Treatment Citywide $224,382 Days Lost: 415
Auto Accidents Citywide $126,567 (37) Light Duty: 506
.SAFETY IS 'O'C'L
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OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd)
• A request for digital pictures from the Police and Fire Departments for the Safety
Mistake Contest was made, and will be due in the March 7, 2002 meeting.
■ Each department was to turn in their Safety Meeting Plan for 2002. The Police
and Parks & Recreation Departments are still outstanding.
• The 4th Annual Safety Council Awards banquet is on March 14th this year and all
Committee members are invited to attend. The Executive Committee has voted
to award the City for both Worker Safety for the Reduction in Lost Workdays and
an Award of Merit for our Defensive Driving Program. See the numbers below.
2000 2001
Parks & Recreation $55,513 $23,562
# of Incidents 9 9
Days Lost 285 0
Public Works $21,600 $ 3,994
# of Incidents 10 10
Days Lost 105 7
NEW BUSINESS
• Jay McKee was congratulated on his new assignment in the Growth
Management Department. Public Works will need to appoint a new Committee
Member for the March meeting.
INCIDENT REVIEW
Incident #1
A Public Works department hit a hidden stump while mowing, damaging the mower.
Outcome: Preventable
Reasoning: There was no injury to the employee, only property damage. We have had
this type of incident before and recommend that when grassy areas have not been
mowed and are too high to see any hidden objects, that the employee should walk the
area to be mowed prior to doing the job.
SQ FOLLOW THE &ULE.
Incident #2
• A Growth Management Department employee was assisting an elderly person off the
parking lot at Lake Catherine and did not notice that the person had blood on them,
which employee got on his hand. First aid washing was recommended by EMS as a
precautionary measure.
Outcome: Preventable
Reasoning: Be more aware of the possibility of exposures from bodily fluids when
helping other people.
Incident #3
A Police Department employee pushed a vehicle from a parking space so it could be
jump- started and strained his lower back.
Outcome: Preventable
Reasoning: Employee should have called Public Works instead of trying to move the
vehicle himself, which is also against departmental policy.
Incident #4
• A Fire Department received a non - significant bloodborne exposure when responding to
a motorcycle accident. The motorcycle had gone airborne from the road and landed in
a condo going through a glass balcony door. When employee picked up the board to
transport the victim, he received a glass cut on his thumb.
Outcome: Nonpreventable
Reasoning: Committee was a mixed vote, but the majority felt that the bizarre nature
of the accident would make this incident non - preventable because you cannot treat
patients with leather gloves on. However, when responding to an auto crash, all EMS
should be alert for broken glass and use caution.
SA'Pt"TY Is CO'O'L
O FOLLOW THE R:t7LE
Incident #5
40 A Police Department employee was participating in victim vehicle rescue training, where
simulation of a victim being removed from the vehicle was demonstrated. While picking
up the victim for transport, the officer injured his knee.
Outcome: Preventable
Reasoning: Committee felt that while in a training scenario, employee has a certain
amount of responsibility to make sure he is not unnecessarily injured. This employee
needed to take a different stance or approach to the rescue victim and be more aware
of physical limitations. It was also suggested that an employee who has a history of
knee problems be prepared and wear a knee brace to protect from potential injury.
Incident #6
A Public Works employee pulled out into an intersection and was struck by an oncoming
car who did not see him.
Outcome: Nonpreventable
Reasoning: The Public Works employee was not at fault — the other driver was ticketed
for failing to yield at an intersection.
• Incident #7
A Police Department motorcop entered traffic from the parking lot with the siren on. As
he pulled out from the parking lot, his view was obstructed and another driver of a
stopped vehicle waved the officer out into the turn lane. The lane turned out not to be
clear due to a vehicle changing lanes. Thus, employee struck the other vehicle. No
citations were issued and minimal damage ($587) was done to the motorcycle.
Outcome: Preventable
Reasoning: Need to exercise more caution when pulling out into traffic. Never trust
other driver to know when traffic is clear. A departmental counseling memo was done
on the employee.
Incident #8
A Fire Department employee was moving a 45 lb box of gloves and felt a sharp pain in
the lower back area.
Outcome: Preventable
rr SAFETY I8 COOL
•-`r So FOLLO THE ,R.ULE,
Reasoning: Employee stated he was using proper body mechanics. However, if this
• had been the case, the injury would not have occurred. Employee should have asked
for help or could have used a hand truck.
Incident #9
A Police Department K9 officer was bitten on the hand during a training exercise, when
he put his hand inside the dogs mouth to retrieve an object.
Outcome: Preventable
Reasoning: Be more careful when reaching into the dogs mouth, particularly when it is
a new dog and is excited from the training exercise.
Incident #10
A Fire Department employee was adjusting a metal clasp on a file when it cut into her
finger.
Outcome: Preventable
Reasoning: Use more care with the metal clasps.
• Incident #11
•
A Police Department employee along with 3 other officers were trying to subdue a
suspect and apply restraints when the officer's finger was cut, receiving a non-
significant bloodborne exposure.
Outcome: Preventable
Reasoning: Could have used OC spray. Since other officers were present, gloves
could have been put on before touching victim with visible sores and are provided as
equipment on their gunbelts.
Incident #12
A Fire Department employee had just completed extricating a person from a vehicle,
when hydraulic fluid sprayed into his eye.
Outcome: Preventable
•
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Reasoning: Employee did not bleed hose out properly. It is common practice to look the
other way when you hit it on the ground to bleed the hose out. Wearing safety goggles
is a good idea as a precautionary measure when utilizing any tool.
SAFE T IS'