3.4. SR 08-02-2004River
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
Bruce A. West, Fire Chief
DATE:
August 2,2004
SUBJECT: Approval and Endorsement of Safety Program
At its July 21, 2004, meeting, the Safety Committee recommended approval and endorsement of a
City of Elk River safety program vision statement. The vision statement has also been presented
and reviewed by the department heads at a staff meeting. A copy of the statement as well as an
excerpt from the July 21, 2004 draft Safety Committee minutes is attached for your review.
Action Requested
The Mayor and City Council is asked to approve the attached safety program vision statement as
recommended by the Elk River Safety Committee.
CITY OF ELK RIVER
Endorsement of Safety Program
This safety program has been customized in accordance with instructions provided by
the Minnesota Association of Municipal Utilities and applicable state and federal
regulations. It is approved and endorsed as the City of Elk River's own safety program
by the appropriate administrative or governing authority shown below. Use of
"employer's" shall be construed to mean all departments of an organization for which
the plan has been adopted.
Approving Authority for the City of Elk River
Elk River City Council
August2,2004
Administrative responsibility for respective departments is as follows:
City Hall ......................................................................... Finance Director or designee
Liquor Store ................................................................. Store Manager
Wastewater Treatment Facilities ............................. Department Manager
Police ............................................................................. Police Safety Officer
· Fire Chief or designee
F~re ................................................................................. Public Works Manager
Public Works ................................................................
Utilities ........................................................................... General Manager or designee
Parks & Recreation .................................................... Parks & Recreation Director or designee
City of Elk River
Approval of Safety Program
This safety program has been customized in accordance with instructions
provided by the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association and applicable state
and federal regulations. It is approved and endorsed as the City of Elk River
safety program by signature shown below.
Patrick D. Klaers
City Administrator
City of Elk River
August 2, 2004
Date
City
R lver
City of Elk River
Safety Program
VISION STATEMENT
"The personal safety of each employee of the City of Elk River is of
primary importance. The prevention of work-related injuries and
illnesses will be given the highest priority. To the greatest degree
possible, the City of Elk River will provide equipment required for
personal safety in keeping with the highest standards possible."
October safety training will be for all employees and will be on fzre safety. Dave stated that this
topic should be covered once again this year due to all of the new employees and the new
buildings.
Bruce reminded everyone that if they have individualized training for their departments or if they
have training ideas, that they should let him, Dave, or Jessica know and something can be
arranged.
ACCIDENT REVIEW
The Safety Committee reviewed one accident as follows:
The employee was using a manual air pump to inflate a bike fire and the shaft came out of the tube
and cut the employees wrist.
There were no unsafe conditions or environmental factors indicated.
The Safety Committee's recommendation was for employees to always use care and safety around
manual air pumps and for employees to use air compressors if available.
Steve asked if every work injury is considered a work comp injury. Brace stated that a work comp
claim is fried for every workplace injury to protect the employee in the instance that injury is worse
than the employee anticipates as it is very difficult to prove an injury later after the fact. Bruce
explained that the work comp rates are not effected until the claim is put into effect.
CONSIDER APPROVAL AND ENDORSEMENT OF SAFETY PROGRAM VISION
STATEMENT
Bruce stated that the Safety Committee is asked to recommend approval and endorsement of a
City of Elk River safety program vision statement. The statement is on the City Council agenda for
the August 2, 2004, meeting. Bruce indicated that the vision statement has been reviewed by
department heads and changes have been made. It was noted that the actual safety program was
approved in 1997 but the vision statement has been updated and that is what is being approved.
MOVED BY CASE HAYWARD AND SECONDED BY BRAD ROLFE TO
RECOMMEND APPROVAL AND ENDORSEMENT OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
SAFETY PROGRAM VISION STATEMENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL. MOTION
CARRIED 10-0.
DEPARTMENT SAFETY CONCERNS/UPDATES
Austin, WWTP
No concerns. Austin provided an update on the digester cover replacement project.
Denny, Building and Environmental
Denny stated that it was brought to his attention that there should be a Tv and telephone in the
basement incase of an emergency so there is contact outside the building. Bruce stated that he has
spoken to IT Coordinator Bob Pearson about the phone and that he thinks a radio would be
sufficient for the basement.