3.7. SR 03-22-2004MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor and Council
Bruce A. West, Fire Chief ~~x//
March 22, 2004
SUBJECT: City of Elk River Foot Protection Policy
*Item 3.7.*
On behalf of the City of Elk River Safety Committee I am requesting Council approval for a change
in the reimbursement policy referencing foot protection. The Safety Committee has been discussing
the current policy, which allows a maximum of $150 per calendar year for the purchase of protective
footwear for city employees. The current foot protection policy was adopted by the City Council on
May 17, 1999 and has not had any changes since its inception.
A survey of numerous cities in the metro area was conducted to review reimbursement policies for
foot protection. Ranges in amounts varied from city to city. I discussed with City Administrator Pat
IClaers and Finance Director Lori Johnson various recommendations from the Safety Committee
and at the March 17, 2004 Safety Committee meeting the following recommendation ',vas approved
to be forwarded to the City Council to consider for adoption. The two changes are as follows:
· The city will reimburse regular employees a maximum of $175 per calendar year and
temporary employees a maximum of $50 for the purchase of protective footwear.
· Any excess funds not used for protective footwear may be used for safety equipment as
approved by department heads.
The change in the reimbursement policy will be a $25 increase per calendar year for reimbursement
of protective footwear for regular employees. The addition of the language stating, "any excess
funds not used for protective footwear may be used for safety equipment as approved by the
department head," will allow any additional funds for a regular employee with the approval of the
department head to purchase additional safety equipment. The Safety Committee has unanimously
approved each of the above changes. The footwear policy would be retroactive to January 1, 2004
and any regular employee who has purchased protective footwear may submit (to the Finance
Department) for additional reimbursement up to the additional $25 if the protective footwear
purchase exceeded the old footwear policy amount of $150 per calendar year. Regular employees
S: ~ SAFETY\ footpolicy.doc
will only be reimbursed up to the newly adopted $175 per calendar year as approved by the City
Council.
Action Requested
The City of Elk River Safety Committee is requesting Council approval to increase the protective
footwear reimbursement from $150 to $175 per calendar year and any excess funds not used for
protective footwear may be used for safety equipment as approved by the department head.
T would like to thank the Mayor, Councilmember, and City Administrator Pat I~laers for the support
of the safety program and the Safety Committee for the City of Elk River. To have a successful
safety program it is imperative to have management support to have a successful safety program.
S: ~SAFETY\ footpolicy.doc
Adopted May 17, 1999 Last Updated: March 18, 2004
City of Elk River
Foot Protection Policy
All employees will wear footwear appropriate to their job duties. Each affected employee
shah wear protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries
due to:
· Falling and rolling objects
· Objects piercing the sole
· Exposure to electrical hazards
Employees required to wear protective footwear would include: Street/Parks employees,
Wastewater Treatment Plant employees, Building/Zoning inspectors, Fire inspectors and
any City employee required to wear protective footwear as determined by their supervisor.
Protective Footwear Standard
· Must comply with ANSI Z41-1991 Standard which provide both impact and
compression protection.
· Shah be at a minimum a leather boot type with at least an over-the-ankle leather
upper for support.
Reimbursement Policy
· The City will reimburse regular employees a maximum of $175 per calendar year and
temporary employees a maximum of $50 per year for the purchase of protective
footwear.
· Original receipts must be submitted to Finance for reimbursement.
· Any excess funds may be used for safety equipment as approved by the department
head.
S :LFINANC E\SAFETY\FOOTPOL.DOC