SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
June 8, 2015
Safety Committee Members in Attendance:
Trisha McCarthy, Safety Commission Chairperson and Conservation; Larry Foote, Emergency Management Director; Nancy Wrigley, Town Administrator; Roger Hamel, Planning Board; Kimberly Lowther, Safety Commission Secretary; Brian Sirois, Deputy Fire Chief; Terry Caswell, Gale Library; Mike Pivero, Road Agent.
Guest: John Alcaidinho, Fire Chief.
Minutes were typed by Kimberly Lowther.
McCarthy called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm.
2 Election of Officers-
Nancy read an email from Bill Landry whom emphasized the importance to meet quarterly.
McCarthy motioned for Kimberly Lowther to remain as Secretary for the Safety Commission. Wrigley Second. Vote passed unanimously.
Foote motioned for Trisha McCarthy to remain as Chairperson and Bill Landry as Vice Chairperson. Second by Wrigley. Vote passed unanimously.
- Review minutes of October 7, 2015 meeting-
Hamel motioned to accept the minutes of September 9, 2014 and October 7, 2014 as written. Second by McCarthy. Vote carried unanimously.
MSDS Sheets- Hamel discussed the importance for these sheets to be made available. If an individual requests one, the town must comply. Pivero added MSDS sheets should be available for immediate access. All products purchased have a MSDS sheet that needs to go directly into the MSDS handbook. McCarthy suggested Hamel establish a system. Hamel requests all MSDS sheets immediately filed into the MSDS Handbook. McCarthy would like each Department Head to always request such sheets. McCarthy will send out a request to each department head making them aware of their duty to collect MSDS Sheets for materials purchased.
- Review / Update list of Core Members
- Review/ Update list of Dept. Head Members
Selectmen, Road Agent, Fire Chief, Chief of Police, Town Administrator, Cemetery Director, Library Director, Transfer Station and Emergency Management Director.
Hamel would like to list each Department Heads name, however McCarthy felt that it was not necessary since the list is constantly changing.
Caswell discussed water testing to be done next year costing approximately $250. She informed the board that the Handicap ramp leading to the Library becomes very slippery when wet and would like to have an agent applied to help with this surface. Concrete work is also in need of repair. She mentioned the library’s wish is to meet the Handicap requirement and have a chair lift installed to make the second floor accessible to those whom cannot climb the stairs. Wrigley asked Caswell to look into the chair and secure an estimate.
- Status of Dept. Training-
McCarthy and Foote would like Office Manager, Mary Winglass to schedule trainings. McCarthy asked Wrigley to check with Winglass on other trainings that may still be needed.
Police and Fire Departments handle their own trainings.
Pivero explained that every other year the road crew participates in a 60 hour training session.
Trisha reviewed an email sent from Office Manager, Mary Winglass that listed trainings in 2014.
-Back Injury Prevention; Slips, Trips and Falls Training held on 5/22/14
-CPR/AED Training on 7/23/14
-Basic First Aid Training on 8/27/14.
McCarthy believes we are in compliance with Chainsaw Safety training. She suggested sending an email to local towns to partner with trainings.
Lowther will email Office Manager Winglass to check on the Right to Know Training and Anti-Bulling Training, along with any other training planned.
- Review Status of Town Safety Manual
- McCarthy referred to Section 4 of the Safety and Loss Prevention Program & Policies. She would like monthly building checks. Foote requested this be the responsibility of each Department Head. McCarthy agreed and would also like to make it their duty to have First Aid kits fully stocked.
-Members discussed town Defibrillators that are soon to expire. The Fire Department cannot maintain Newton’s Defibrillators due to budget constraints. Foote would like to see this fall under the Department Heads duties. Defibrillators pads and batteries can cost anywhere from $600 to $2,000. Cost depends on the defibrillators make and model. Since each Defibrillator model varies it’s difficult to purchase in bulk. McCarthy would like each Department Head to budget for this. Pivero suggested sending correspondence to Schools, Town Hall, Gale Library and Transfer Station notifying each department that they are responsible for their own Defibrillator.
Local Government Center will be contacted to advise the Town if they have a standard of care. Hamel considered the risks of faulty equipment, and questioned if we are required to have Defibrillators. If they are removed can it pose a legal threat? However, if they are left in place and are not working properly what liability can the town face? Chief Alcaidinho advised the members to purchase Defibrillator batteries and pads in stages so they do not all expire at once. Wrigley will contact Local Government Center for their response to this issue and email the core group when she receives a response. McCarthy said that we will await their response till we notify each Department head.
-The Marshall House has a First Aid Kit. McCarthy would like this kit to be checked.
-Check in with the Highway Department and Transfer Station to ensure both departments are up to date with proper head, eye, ear, and foot and hand protection.
-Reflective vest should also be worn during all site walks. Wrigley said the cost is approximately $30 per lettered vest. The board discussed purchasing the vest without lettering as well.
-McCarthy would like to establish a Spot Check Safety list for all town buildings. This list would consist of checklist items one could typically overlook, such as space heater, extension cords, unsafe wire, etc. Suggesting the checklist to be performed quarterly.
Members discussed unsafe wires at the Transfer Station that need to be addressed. Foote and Pivero would like an electrician to take immediate action due to the safety concern. Wrigley will contact Transfer Station Manager, Tom Difalco.
*Fire Call- Chief Alcaidinho, Deputy Sirois and EMT Foote received an Emergency Call and departed the meeting at 5:10pm
- Set Tentative Schedule for quarterly meetings-
Nancy read an email from Bill Landry who emphasized the importance to meet quarterly. Members discussed the importance for all department heads to attend the quarterly meetings. An employee from the Transfer Station should be present. Trisha suggested meeting in August so the commission can address defibrillator concerns. Pivero would like to hear from LGC first and then bring the recommendation to the Selectmen.
Members discussed meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of the last month of each quarter. Meetings will be held September, December, March and June.
- Correspondence: None at this time.
- Next Meeting- Wednesday September 16, 2015. McCarthy will ask Jack Kozec to attend.
- Adjourn-
Wrigley motioned to Adjourn at 6:11pm. Lowther Second. Vote carried unanimously.
Respectively Submitted,
Kimberly Lowther
Newton NH Safety Commission.
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