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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 03 11 Informational E Inspections of City Sites and Facilities . . COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM E Consent Informational X Public Hearing Regular March 11, 2002 Meeting fi1 (L- Mgr. 1 Authorization Dept. PURPOSE: The General Services Department wishes to inform the Commission that inspections of city sites and facilities have been conducted by safety specialists from Coregis Insurance Company and the Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust to assure that the city properly addresses hazards to our employees and the general public. CONSIDERA TIONS: 1. Since the city has engaged a new Workers Compensation insurance carrier effective January 1, 2002, a safety inspection was coordinated to assure that any hazards to our employees were addressed. 2. Likewise, a safety inspection was coordinated with our Property and Casualty carrier to assure that hazards to the general public were addressed. 3. Regarding the Workers Compensation carrier's inspection results, all items have been addressed, except issues raised about the Public Works compound, which are in process. 4. Regarding the Coregis inspection results, the Public Works Department is in the process of addressing the issues raised by the inspector. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Letter, dated February 12,2002, from Ashley Bonner-Fike, Coregis Risk Control Consultant, to the Director of General Services 2. Letter, dated February 6, 2002, from Tom Schieffelin, RMPE, Loss Control Director, Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust, to the Director of General Services . COMMISSION ACTION: None Required. . . . COREGIS. Ashley E. Bonner-Fike Risk Control Consultant 2620 Misty Hollow Lane Cumming, Georgia 30040 Ph.:770-205-2270 / 800-947-2270 Fax: 770-205-2287 E-mail: ashley.fike@coregis.com Website: www.coreqis.com A BE Capital Company February 12, 2002 Mr. Gene DeMarie Director of General Services City of Winter Springs 1126 East State Route 434 Winter Springs, Florida 32708 Re: Policy Number: Survey Date: Coregis Loss Prevention System (LPS) Survey 651011238 February 4, 2002 Dear Mr. DeMarie: Thank you for the opportunity to observe a few of the city's many retention ponds and parks. During our visit 1 the following areas of concern were noted: Corey Lane · A significant amount of garbage has been put into the pond by residents and should be removed. · The City should consider placing fencing around the pond's drainage structures to protect them from unintended use by nearby residents. T orcaso · The city should consider covering the skimmer with a pitch-sloped top to prevent anyone from trying to walk on top of it or playing inside of the structure. · The City should consider place "Keep off!" signage posted visibly at the sides of the skimmer. Sunshine Park · A large tree has fallen into the pond and should be removed to deter anyone from playing on it. · The City should routinely look for dying or fallen growth in play areas and on city property and remove it. I am available to provide guidance and to answer any loss prevention questions that you may have. Additional information and resources are also available on-line at www.coregis.com. If you need assistance or information, please feel free to contact me at 770-205-2270,800-947-2270, or ashley.fike@coregis.com. Respectfu IIy, Ashley E. Bonner-Fike Coregis Risk Control Consultant Coreais.. . America 's PlIhlir. Enfifv 'nsfln~rTM .. . . February 6,2002 Gene DeMarie, Director of General Services City of Winter Springs 1126 East State Road 434 Winter Springs, FL 32708 Policy No. 172 Dear Mr. DeMarie: This is to confirm my safety consultation visit and physical hazard surveys of select City locations with you today. Upfront, I'd like to thank you for your time, attention and courtesy throughout the day as well as the numerous key personnel who assisted us during our survey. As we discussed, our "Employers' Experience Reports" or computerized loss runs are distributed on a monthly basis. Briefly, We reviewed Winter Spring's loss experience for January 2002, which reflects a 10% loss ratio as outlined on this report. This document is an excellent tool to monitor:'c1aims activity in terms offinancial developments, mitigation, as well as work accident analysis and prevention techniques, Incidentally, I was delighted to .meet Ms, Mary Wilson, HR Coordinator and discuss her claims duties this morning, Interestingly, we conducted physical surveys of five (5) separate City locations or operations. Overall, each location was well maintained, reasonably well safeguarded, with good housekeeping practices with the exception of the Public Works compound, The following comments summarize and highlight my observations and suggestions for improvements in order to control potential loss situations on a location basis, East Water Reclamation Plant: Winter Sprin2s Blvd. - Control Buildmg: several portable fire extinguishers were noted to be free standing on the floor. This equipment should be mounted no more than 5 feet above the floor in a conspicuous readily accessible location, Diesel Refueling Station: this area is noted to be without fire suppression equipment and/or location directional information. Fueling areas should be provided with at least one fire extinguisher rated at least 20-B:C located within 75 feet of the pump, Chlorine Storage Area (Rear): an 8 riser wooden stairway is noted to be without standard handrail protection. This stairway should be tagged out of service or marked "do not use" or removed until the planned permanent metal stairway can be installed, Administered by PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES. INC. 234 N. Westmonte Drive, Suite 300, Altamonte Springs. FL 32714 · Phone: (407) 331-3838 · Facsimile: (407) 331-4800 . . . City of Winter Springs Page 2 Central Winds Park - State Rd. 434 Maintenance Building: Material Safety Data sheets (MSDS) are provided in the employee break room. It is suggested that safety meetings include periodic refresher training in hazardous substances use and handling. MSD's are an excellent source to inform employees on methods to prevent exposure to the hazards substances (petroleum products, insecticides, etc.) through safe work practices and/or the use of personal protective equipment. Fire Station #24 - Moss Street Training resources were discussed and reviewed with Robert C. Beck, WSFD Training Division Chief. Accordingly, our Safety Video Catalog Index will be provided to assist with their training needs. Public Works Compound - Moss Street A tour of this facility indicates the overall conditions are cramped, crowded and congested. Moreover, the yard surface is unpaved, which creates a "dusty" condition especially with normal vehicular movement. The compound encompasses approximately one (1) acre or less, perhaps % acre. The fleet encompasses approximately 30 - 35 units including various truck types, street sweepers, backhoes, etc, Building additions such as the carpenter and sign shops are especially crowded in terms of storage of supplies, etc. In short, it appears to be a case of making the best of a tough situation. Sign Shop A portable fire extinguisher was noted free standing on the floor. This unit should be properly wall mounted. Carpenter Shop The empty oxygen and acetylene compressed gas cylinders should be secured in an upright position in an adequately separated manner. Flammable and combustible liquids (paints) are noted to be stored in an approved storage cabinet. However, several paint containers are also stored on adjacent open shelving. Additional J1Pproved st()rage cabinets shguld be pfovigeq.__ Diesel Refueling Station Fueling areas should be provided with at least one fire extinguisher rated at least 20-B:C located within 75 feet of the pumps as none were observed. West Sewaee Treatment Plant - 1000 State Road 434 Lime building (just inside main gate). A fire extinguisher is noted to be free standing on the workbench. This unit should be properly wall mounted. I trust this hazard appraisal survey will be of assistance to you in your overall risk management efforts. Perhaps the Winter Springs Fire Department could be of further assistance to the City in . . . City of Winter Springs Page 3 the area of code enforcement inspections of City property. In other words, fire/life safety inspections by the WSFD could minimize fire suppression discrepancies on a routine basis. In closing, we appreciate the City's participation in the PGIT program. Please give me a call should you have any safety issue questions or comments before my next visit. Respectively, TO>>1IS~ Tom Schieffelin, RMPE Loss Control Director cc: Risk Management Associates, Inc.