Minutes - 06/22/2000 - Safety Committee SA (27 - MtA) — LP` tat - Q060
VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK EMPLOYEE
SAFETY COMMITTEE Minutes June 22, 2000
UNOFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED AS WRITTEN X
OR AS AMENDED ON July 20, 2000
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
The Employee Safety Committee meeting was called to order at 9:08 a.m. in the Lower
Level Conference Room with the following representatives
PRESENT: Bart Kasper,Administration, Finance& Engineering Departments
Gary Naus, Fire Department
Susan Schwartz, Library
Jay Yunker, Public Works Department(arrived at 9:10 a.m.)
Greg Krob, Sports Core Departments
Michael A. Crotty,Assistant Village Manager
Joyce Resh, Secretary
ABSENT: Police Department
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Bart Kasper, seconded by Greg Krob,to approve the minutes of the Combined
Executive and Employee Safety Committee meeting of April 20, 2000 as submitted.
VOICE VOTE: Motion carried. Minutes will be distributed after the Executive Safety
Committee has approved them at the upcoming meeting of June 27 and are to be posted
in respective departments.
III. DISCUSSION OF INCIDENTS:
Representative Naus explained the incident of a firefighter's cut to his scalp while
extricating a patient from a vehicle noting that the firefighter's helmet had to be removed
to facilitate his working in a confined area to remove the patient. He noted that a
construction-type helmet might have been able to be used in this situation, but these type
helmets are only available on the rescue rig and rescue trailer. He will suggest to the
Captain to include this helmet on the engines also.
Assistant Village Manager Crotty discussed the incidents of two police officers injured
while attempting to restrain, handcuff and arrest a resisting subject. He noted that the
officers receive defensive training and even though everything may be done correctly,
you cannot always control this type of a situation.
The incident of a police officer's injury from a fall when he slipped on a patch of ice in a
driveway while checking a residence during a suspicious noise call was discussed noting
that the lighting was poor and even though the officer was using a flashlight, it was more
`- important to shine the light around the premises and not on the ground.
Employee Safety Committee Minutes Page 1 of 4 June 22, 2000
\.. Another incident of a police officer's injury when he slipped on stairs covered with wet
leaves while checking the exterior of a residence during a burglar alarm call was
discussed noting that while we may not have control over the environment in which we
find ourselves, we should be aware of the environment around us.
Assistant Village Manager Crotty discussed the incident of a CSO's injury from a traffic
accident while driving her own vehicle to traffic court. He explained insurance coverage,
noting that the employee is compensible because she was on duty. Her personal vehicle
is not compensible. He stressed that employees should submit mileage reimbursement
and if at all possible, use a Village vehicle for Village business.
The incident of a police officer injuring his hand while closing a cell door was discussed.
Assistant Village Manager Crotty indicated that he is investigating this incident, as he has
been informed of an equipment problem with the door.
Assistant Village Manager Crotty explained that he is investigating an employee's injury
to his knee when a chair rolled out from under him while bending to pick something up
off of the floor.
The incident of the Chef's cut thumb was discussed noting that she removed her glasses
prior to the incident. Sports Core Representative Krob explained that she realized even
though her glasses were greasy; she should have had them on. He also mentioned that
mesh gloves have been suggested for use in the kitchen,but they are cumbersome to work
with. Assistant Village Manager Crotty noted that the incidents of cuts have been
reduced.
The incident of a golf course laborer's injury to his thumb was discussed noting that
although the tool he was using was razor sharp, the employee should be in control of his
tools and should work cautiously.
An employee's bump on the head from an aerial bucket was discussed. Public Works
Representative Yunker noted that the bucket was against the wall and cones were set out
as a warning. It was suggested that perhaps the area needs to be roped off when aerial
buckets are in use.
A police officer's injury while on bike patrol was discussed noting that we all need to be
aware of our surroundings and strive for safety.
IV. DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY INSPECTION REPORTS:
Assistant Village Manager Crotty stressed the importance of submitting safety inspection
reports monthly and also initialing and dating the card when inspecting fire extinguishers.
He noted that the Village lost points during the last LEAP evaluation due to monthly
inspections not submitted regularly and cards not initialed.
Employee Safety Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 June 22, 2000
V. IRMA QUARTERLY REPORT:
Status of Accident Frequency per Department:
Assistant Village Manager Crotty discussed the report for each department. The ten (10)
incidents of exposure in the Fire Department were made at the same time for poor air
quality at the Fire Station. The Station was tested and any "contaminants" were found to
be within the allowable limits set by OSHA. Improvements were completed in both Fire
Stations 1 and 2, in any event. The air quality will be tested again. He noted that most of
the non-workers compensation incidents attributed to Public Works were damage to light
poles. Representative Naus expressed his embarrassment with all of the Fire Department
incidents and extended credit to the Public Works Department on their safety record.
VI. TRAINING IDEAS: No business.
VII. DISCUSSION OF SAFETY SUGGESTIONS:
Fire Representative Naus questioned if there was a procedure regarding the Employee
Safety Suggestion Program., Assistant Village Manager Crotty explained that each
department was furnished with a Safety Suggestion mailbox and the department's safety
representative has a key. Forms are available and employees may submit their
suggestions by dropping them in the box, or they may also give suggestions directly to
their department representative. These suggestions are discussed at the Safety Committee
meeting.
VIII. GENERAL DISCUSSION:
Assistant Village Manager Crotty noted that he is drafting the Village's Loss Control
Objectives and asked the Committee to submit suggestions. He will be meeting with the
Executive Safety Committee next week and asking for their suggestions, also.
Fire Department Representative Naus suggested that a Village-wide objective could be to
"accept responsibility for your actions". Other suggestions were: "know your
surroundings", "be aware", "be alert".
Sports Core Representative Krob noted that employees must be aware of speed. He
suggested cart safety training for employees using carts on Sports Core property, posting
speed signs on Polo Road and improvements and signage at the maintenance building.
LEAP Evaluation-August 2000:
Assistant Village Manager Crotty informed the Committee that the IRMA Loss
Evaluation Assistance Program (LEAP) is scheduled for August 31. A representative
from IRMA conducts this process every two years. The representative meets with him
Employee Safety Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 June 22, 2000
and discusses all sections of the worksheet then proceeds to the Police Department,
Public Works and Fire Department. Points are attained in each program category, then
the Village is classified as "superior", "good", "average", "needs improvement"or
"unsatisfactory". If the classification is "unsatisfactory", then the Village could be placed
on a watch list. He then discussed the Village's ratings for the last evaluation noting that
the Committee needs to meet regularly, and regular attendance of meetings is important.
He noted that the Village lost points in the "Self Inspection Program" and again stressed
the importance of monthly department inspections, including fire extinguisher inspection,
and dating and initialing the card attached to the fire extinguisher. Documentation must
be done monthly.
He discussed the section on "Employee Health Maintenance" noting that the Village lost
points for not conducting a fitness/agility test for all fire/police personnel on a periodic
basis. The Village does have a Fitness/Wellness Program that follows IRMA Guidelines,
but it needs to be put in writing.
Another section where the Village lost points was for periodic vision testing of
employees that are required to drive vehicles. Police and Fire routinely follow this
guideline, and Assistant Village Manager Crotty will suggest annual vision and hearing
testing for Public Works employees.
The Village has been negligent in conducting annual evacuation drills and lost points in
this area during the last evaluation. Fire Representative Naus was asked to set up a
program so that the Village will annually be in compliance with this section of the
evaluation.
Assistant Village Manager Crotty noted that during the last evaluation the Village was
rated "superior", and if we score well again, IRMA's reward may be an evaluation in
three or four years instead of every two year. He invited Safety Representatives to
participate in their department's evaluation on August 31.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Gary Naus, seconded by Susan Schwartz,to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 a.m.
ATTEST:
C�
Michael A. Crotty
Assistant Village Manager
empsaf
Employee Safety Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4 June 22, 2000