Minutes - 01/18/2001 - Safety Committee VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK EMPLOYEE
SAFETY COMMITTEE Minutes JANUARY 18, 2001
UNOFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED AS WRITTEN x
OR AS AMENDED ON March 15, 2001
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
The Employee Safety Committee meeting was called to order at 9:01 a.m. in the Upper
Level Conference Room with the following representatives
PRESENT: Debbie Franzone, Administration, Finance & Engineering Departments
Gary Naus, Fire Department
Susan Schwartz, Library
Norm Nemec, Police Department
Mark Stevens, Public Works Department
Greg Krob, Sports Core Departments (arrived at 9:04 a.m.)
Michael A. Crotty, Assistant Village Manager
Joyce Resh, Secretary
ABSENT: None
lI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Mark Stevens, seconded by Gary Naus, to approve the minutes of the
�-- Employee Safety Committee meeting of September 21, 2000 as submitted. VOICE
VOTE: Motion carried. Minutes are to be dated and posted in respective departments.
III. DISCUSSION OF INCIDENTS
The incident of a Police Officer's injury during K-9 training was discussed noting that the
officer was bitten on the wrist rather than on his protective pad by a dog from another
town.
Damage to the basement door of the Sports Core Administration Building by a golf cart
being driven down the ramp was discussed noting that department rules prohibit carts
from being driven down the ramp. It also was noted that a meeting was held several days
prior to the incident in which these rules were discussed, and Public Works
Representative Stevens noted that a sign is posted in the area. Assistant Village Manager
Crotty requested Sports Core Representative Krob to verify that a sign is posted in the
area.
Assistant Village Manager Crotty discussed a Public Works employee's shoulder injury
noting that this was several incidents which, initially, did not result in a claim and was
reported on an"Incident/First Aid Report". The employee subsequently submitted it as a
claim. He noted that all forms need to be filled in completely, especially the Supervisor's
t... Investigation Report.
Employee Safety Committee Minutes Page 1 of 3 January 18, 2001
A firefighter aggravated a previous shoulder injury during a strenuous drill lifting a live
person up to a window ledge. This was an unscheduled drill and was not mandatory, and
Fire Representative Naus indicated the danger using a live person rather than a 175-
pound dummy.
A Fire Lieutenant's injury from the door between the Day Room and the Apparatus Floor
at Station 2 was discussed noting that even though there is a small window in the door, if
you are not in the right position, you cannot see another person on the other side of the
door._
The vehicle accident of a police officer was discussed noting that the officer was leaving
the police garage in the Jeep. He started the vehicle and placed the gearshift into the
reverse position when the accelerator stuck causing the vehicle to advance backward.
Amazingly, the officer was able to steer the vehicle around parked vehicles and up the
embankment to a grass area of the parking lot without hitting anything. He was able to
stop the car by placing the gearshift into park. It was noted that Public Works mechanics
inspected the vehicle and took it to the dealer for inspection, but nothing was found to be
wrong with the vehicle.
IV. DEPARTMENTAL SAFETY INSPECTION REPORTS:
Assistant Village Manager Crotty reminded the Committee of the importance of
`-- conducting monthly inspections in their respective department.
V. TRAINING IDEAS: No business.
VI. DISCUSSION OF SAFETY SUGGESTIONS: No business.
VII. GENERAL DISCUSSION
Assistant Village Manager Crotty noted that at a past Executive Safety Committee
meeting a discussion was held regarding new ideas for the Safety Incentive Program, and
that Committee was not receptive to changing the program at that time.
He indicated that in the current agenda packet is information from the City of Rolling
Meadows regarding their incentive program. He pointed out that they use a point system
whereby points are given each quarter if the employee does not have an avoidable
accident. At the end of the year the points are totaled and a dollar amount awarded for
each point. This has been successful in reducing workers compensation claims, but you
need to be careful to not discourage employees from submitting reports of incidents.
Assistant Village Manager Crotty questioned Committee members if they would like to
change the existing Program. Some members indicated that they find it difficult to make
�- the avoidable/unavoidable decision, and Assistant Village Manager Crotty reminded
Employee Safety Committee Minutes Page 2 of 3 January 18, 2001
them that they are one of three making an independent determination. It is important to
discuss the incident with the employee during the investigation and determination.
Discussion continued regarding the Rolling Meadows program, and Committee members
indicated that the point system was not a bad idea. Employees could improve after an
incident. The idea of points earned quarter by quarter is a good idea. Concerns arose
with the idea of working as teams. He asked the Committee if they want to think about
this more, and it was a consensus that the quarter point system was a good idea.
A motion was made by Representative Naus, seconded by Representative Nemec,that the
idea of a quarterly point system for the Safety Incentive Program be presented to the
Executive Safety Committee. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Gary Naus, seconded by Greg Krob,to adjourn the meeting at 9:56 a.m.
ATTEST:
Michael A. Crotty
�-' Assistant Village Manager
empsaf
Employee Safety Committee Minutes Page 3 of 3 January 18, 2001