2008, 04-30 minutes
1707 E Sprague Ave Suite 106 Spokane Valley WA 99206
509.921.1000 Fax: 509.921.1008 cityhall@spokanevalley.org
SPOKANE VALLEY EMPLOYEE SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Spokane Valley City Hall, Opportunity Conference room
April 30, 2008, 11:00 a.m.
Committee Members Present: Committee Members Absent: Others Present:
Greg Bingaman, Vice Chair Cary Driskell, Chair
Chris Bainbridge, Recorder Nik Bentley
Lisa Combs
Brian Moat
Carolyn George
Jennifer Papich
1. Convene Meeting
The meeting was convened by Greg Bingaman at approximately 11:00 a.m., and there was consensus to
approve the meeting minutes of March 27, 2008.
2. Safety Concerns
Bing mentioned the Worker Visibility Safety Rule regarding safety apparel that is to be worn for those
people working within the right-of-way on designated Federal-aid highways, which rule went into effective
November 24, 2008. According to the Rule, this requirement is not limited to local agency activities such as
construction projects, but also includes any private developer working within the right-of-way, and states that
the WSDOT 2008 Standard Specifications will be amended to reflect these requirements in their August 4,
2008 update for use on all construction contracts. This led to further discussion on Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE), and of what is required or mandatory, and also discussion on which employees could need
any PPE. Discussion included budgeting requests for reflective vests and hard hats, which was generally
approved, but that budgeting for boots or rain gear or reimbursing employees for those purchases would
likely not be covered, and in fact such was the case in a recent denial by Finance Director Ken Thompson of
reimbursement for boots purchased by an employee; and there was mention of the concern of working in
inclement weather or shoveling snow off the precinct roof. PPE was also discussed concerning the safety
assessment by CH2M Hill, which assessment was only performed for the Public Works Department. The
idea of having a safety assessment for all departments was mentioned, and Chris said she will check with
WCIA on that issue.
3. Other safety concerns
The use of cell phones while driving was brought up as the law changes effective July 1, 2008, but it was
noted that such cell phone use could not be the primary reason for stopping a driver. Other safety issues
mentioned included policy on space heaters (apparently there is none), or on candles. Chris
mentioned that she checked with WCIA and there is no prohibition to the use of candles in the workplace,
but of course, caution should be used to make sure the candle is extinguished, and the lit flame will not be
close to papers. The upcoming fire extinguisher training was mentioned and Chris said she will send out
reminders to employees about dates and times for the training.
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 11:45 a.m.
Safety Committee Meeting Minutes 4-30-08 Page 1 of 1