HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Public Safety (Committee) - 08/23/1988 CITY OF KENT
.SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES
AUGUST 23, 1988
Members Present: Jim Ausburn, Greg McCormick, Kevin Ellis, Sue Yiseth,
Ken Cooper, Don Fronsdahl , Rose Grabert
EMPLOYEE INJURIES - JUNE
Fire Department
INCIDENT: While participating in toxic cleanup days, employee was working
with pesticides and unknown chemicals in a Class B suit. He became
light headed ana experienced nausea and fatigue.
COMMENTS: Safety Committee agreed with the department's suggestion that
employee should take more breaks to reduce his body temperature
while wearing this type of suit. Committee suggested that next
year during Hazardous Cleanup Days a rotating schedule be
implemented, to give haz-mat team members a break.
Parks Department
INCIDENT: An aerobics instructor was in the middle of a workout when his back
gave out. The aerobic routine consisted of j unping rope with
side-to-side motions.
COMMENTS: Safety Committee suggested warmups before heavy aerobic activity.
Incorporate warmup exercise's for the back. It was noted that
sometimes these type of incidents can t be avoided.
Police Department
INCIDENT: While attempting to control a combative and resisting suspect,
Police officers sustained minor cuts and abrasions to knees and
hand, also damaged uniforms.
COMMENTS: Safety Committee agreed with the Police Chief's report that these
injuries were unavoidable due to the circumstances and represent
dangers inherent to police work.
AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS - JUNE
Parks Maintenance
INCIDENT: Employee was in a City vehicle at a full stop at the intersection
of Washington and Meeker Street. He was rear ended by another car
that slid into the back of his truck.
COMMENTS: This auto accident was nonpreventable.
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EMPLOYEE INJURY - JULY
Police Department
INCIDENT: While trying to arrest a combative suspect, Officer Gagner fell on
his knee or was struck by an object. The incident occurred outside
on a cement parking lot.
COMMENTS: Again, the Safety Committee felt that this type, of risk is inherent
in police work and is unavoidable.
Fire Department
INCIDENT: A firefighter was pushing a trap door with both hands and they were
punctured by two nails sticking out about 3/16 of a inch.
COMMENTS: Safety Committee recommended that gloves would be appropriate at
these type of fire scenes.
Parks Maintenance
INCIDENT: Employee was getting out of the City truck and struck his right
knee on the door.
COMMENTS: Safety Committee recommends employee be more ware and use caution
when exiting the vehicle.
Customer Services
INCIDENT: Employee was carrying a desk from the 3rd floor to the 2nd floor at
City Hall . His helper dropped his end of the desk and employee
tried to catch it from dropping and hurt his back.
COMMENTS: Safety committee agreed with the department's; recommendation to
purchase a four wheel Jolley for lifting this, type of heavy
furniture.
Public Works
INCIDENT: Employee was lifting a metal water meter lid which was stuck and
hurt her right arm and shoulder.
COMMENTS: Precautionary measures should be taken to first, loosen the lid
before using the lid hook to lift the lid up':,
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Code Enforcement �.
INCIDENT: While backing out of a car port area and.1, in,g in the direction
of travel , Mary got to close to the car port,' support and sideswiped
the front left fender.
COMMENTS: Safety Committee recommends employee be totally aware of
surroundings before backing and use proper backing procedures.
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Engineering
INCIDENT: While pulling out of the Engineering parking lit, employee's
attention was diverted by a car entering the p�r;king lot and he hit
the Engineering van parked behind him.
COMMENTS: Safety Committee suggest employee be totally aware of his
surroundings before backing and use proper backing procedures.
Police Department
INCIDENT: Employee had arrived on scene at the Ad Lib Tavern and parked next
to a vehicle. The lights of the police vehicle were illuminated.
The vehicle parked next to the police car, exited the parking lot
and hit Officer Gustufson s vehicle.
COMMENTS: This auto accident was unavoidable.
OTHER BUSINESS
Don Fronsdahl brought up the issue of the annual hearing testing. Sue Viseth
advised the Committee that hearing testing had been scheduled for the
Maintenance staff on September 28. The mobile units will be available at the
City Shops. Don was concerned about scheduling the Firefighters for their
hearing test. Sue Viseth and Don Fronsdahl will work on scheduling the
firefighters for their hearing tests.
483W-18W
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