HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 04/26/1988 CITY OF KENT
SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 26, 1988
Present: Jack Fingold, Ken Cooper, Beth Remington, Jim Ausburn, Greg
McCormick, Jennifer Carey, Bruce Lipp, Don Fronsdahl , Les Wong and
Peggy Todd
The following items were discussed:
AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS
Police Department
INCIDENT: While employee was backing the patrol unit into parking space, the
left rear quarter panel came into contact with the rubber guard on
the right front bumper of a parked patrol unit.
COMMENTS: Employees should be more careful when backing and use proper
backing procedures.
Parks Maintenance
INCIDENT: While employee was westbound on James at Washington Street, a
vehicle driven by another person changed lanes in front of him
hooking the front of his vehicle. No injuries were sustained by
either party. Citizen changed lanes and moved from the outside
lane across the center lane into the left turn lane without
observing city vehicle in the center lane.
COMMENTS: Due to the circumstances, it appears that this incident could not
have been avoided by the employee. However, The Committee would
like to remind employees to be sure and contact a police officer
whenever involved in an auto accident.
Water Division
INCIDENT: While employee was backblading a ditch, apparently a branch was
hanging off of the boom, and when the backhoe went by, the branch
hit the side window and shattered it.
COMMENTS: Committee agrees with the department's actions advising employees
to be more careful and aware of their work environment.
Water Division
INCIDENT: Employee drove over the end of a loading and unloading ramp. The
ramp was located under cardboard and was not visible.
COMMENTS: Committee would suggest that employees be more careful and remove
any obstacles that are in the roadway and avoid driving over them.
EMPLOYEE INJURIES
Equipment Rental Division
INCIDENT: While employee was reaching down to adjust steering gear box in a
vehicle, he hit his hand against the air cleaner edge causing him
to cut his finger.
COMMENTS: Committee agrees with division's action to inform employees to be
more careful and as a suggestion to sand down sharp objects when
possible.
Police Department
INCIDENT: While employee was in the process of making an arrest, he got into
a physical scuffle with the arrestee and received sprains, cuts and
bruises to both hands.
COMMENTS: Due to the circumstances, it appears that employee could not have
avoided or prevented this incident.
Fire Department
INCIDENT: While viewing a demonstration of a carlin valve, employee stepped
on hose that was connected to the valve and fitting. The carlin
valve became disconnected from hydrant and hit employee in the left
leg and right wrist.
COMMENTS: The Committee suggests that the fire district and vendors working
together to order valves should be more careful in ordering the
proper valves to fit the appropriate hydrants. This incident
occurred due to the fact that the valves that were being used did
not fit the threading of the hydrant properly. Correct
specifications should be used at all times when ordering parts and
valves.
Fire Department
INCIDENT: During a training exercise outside, employee put his glasses in his
pocket. During the exercise employee was using a breathing
apparatus and carrying a hose line and discovered after the drill
that his glasses were broken.
COMMENTS: The Committee agrees with the department that employees have been
advised to store eye glasses in a safe place and not on their
person.
Senior Center
INCIDENT: Employee slammed the driver's door of a van on his right hand ring
finger.
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COMMENTS: Employees should be more careful and the Commiti4Wjagrees with the
department's action in that they discussed the fci'dent with the
employee and cautioned him to take time and not, urry when opening
and closing doors of the van. ,
Water Division
INCIDENT: While employee opened the upper bin on the passenger side of truck
#74 looking for parts, the bin slammed shut on h?is left hand.
COMMENTS: The safety latch on this bin has been repaired since the incident
and therefore future injuries should not take place.
Sewer Division
INCIDENT: Employee twisted back while shoveling and spreading crushed rock.
COMMENTS: Employee should use proper shoveling procedures when shoveling
ravel . (If you're going to twist, do it on the; daGnce floor.)
'Chuckle!"
Street Division
INCIDENT: Employee hurt muscles in the lower right hand side of his back
while pulling tree branches out of a pile and turning.
COMMENTS: Employee should use proper procedures and be more Careful .
Operations Division
INCIDENT: While employee was relocating two boxes of computer paper from the
counter to the floor, he turned and felt a sharp pain in his back.
COMMENTS: Employee should use proper lifting procedures. Whenever moving
heavy items, employees should request assistance.
Corrections ,
INCIDENT: While employee was inside the facilities crisis cell , he was
injured while trying to subdue an arrested subject who started an
altercation.
COMMENTS: If possible or if the situation appears hostileo e�tployees should
try and get another officer as back up when entoring crisis cell . .
Parks - Special Populations Facility
INCIDENT: Employee tried to move an organ down the stai'rs ,'of the Resource
Center, and in doing so, hurt the right lower part of her back.
COMMENTS. Employees should not try to move equipment that A s' too heavy or
awkward without using proper equipment or requesting the assistance
of others in moving such equipment.
483W-18W
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