6.1. ERMUSR 07-15-2008~~„~~~
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M/NNESOTA MVN/G'/PAC U~1L/T/ES ASSOCYA nON
May 16, 2008
Mr. Bryan Adams
Elk River Public Utility
13069 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330-0430
Dear Bryan,
It has been an interesting change process for Elk River and me, with Dave passing away in July, me
coming on board in November, and Rudy filling in in-between. We have all had some adjustments to
make. I am doing the 2007 evaluation of our safety and loss control programs. I will normally do this
earlier in the year, but because of all the changes, I felt like this might be a better time. The evaluation
will be completed utilizing the "SP 9 Safety and Health Program Audit Worksheet."
I would like to start by reviewing the training that was completed in 2007, and is as follows:
• A.W.A_l.R_ training -blood borne pathogens, right-to-know, EAP, and hazard communication
• Back safety/upper body stretch
• Heat stress
• Temporary traffic control
• Basic electric safety
• RTK poison ivy, harassment, CDL (shop)
• Electric hazards harassment (office).
• PPE
• Driving under the influence/DUI
• Lock-out/tag-out
• Fall protection
• Winter survival
The "Safety and Health Program Audit Worksheet" I am using to guide us through this process has
several categories, comments and ratings as follows:
1. Employer Commitment: The review would show a "Good/Excellent Commitment."
2. Employee Involvement: Good. Better utilization of the SP-3 forms for "unsafe conditions."
3. Hazard Control: Good. Take care of in a proper fashion and get to the people involved.
4. Facility Maintenance: Fair/Good. Different departments provided the this rating.
5. Accident Analysis: Good. Question #2 comment was if they had more people and/or equipment
to use in the process, there would be fewer accidents. Would like to see more "near-misses."
6. Occupational Medicine: Good. Program is available as needed.
7. Contractor Safety: Good. I will provide an "Outside Contractor Checklist" to be utilized with all
contractor employees when they first come on-site.
8. Employee Training: Good/Excellent. All compliance training is documented and up-to-date.
Better training of new employees on chain saw. Signage isn't always explained timely or better
explanation of new product.
9. Emergency Response: Good/Excellent. We have scheduled an EAP drill for summer 2008.
An over-all rating of: Solid Good
In looking to the future, I would like to see more of the following:
• More documented tool box/tailgate safety activities
• More "near-miss" reporting, to help with awareness and focus
• A stronger commitment to wearing proper PPE
Bryan, I want to thank you and your team for the work you've accomplished towards a safer workplace.
Please continue to keep safety as job #1 in our day-to-day activities with an attitude that shouts safety!
If you have any questions or comments about the audit or this letter, please do not hesitate to ask.
Lastly, I consider it my pleasure to be able to work with you and your team in building a stronger, safer
workplace. We truly appreciate you as a customer and a safety and loss control business partner.
Thank you,
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Mike Nemes
MMUA East Central Regional Safety Coordinator
cc: Mike Willetts, MMUA Director of Safety Training