Workplace_Safety_presentation
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May 5, 2026 Workplace Safety David Trimble, Deputy Town Manager / Administrative Services Director Why This is Coming Forward 2 Council Follow-up At the January 20, 2026 Council meeting, Councilmember Watts asked for follow-up on workplace safety and referred to OSHA’s top 10 violations. What Staff Reviewed Staff reviewed the injury record, OSHA’s top 10 violations, Town work, and the safety measures, training, and oversight in place. What the Records Show The records reflect only a small number of isolated injuries and no repeated pattern tied to one OSHA category. The next slide covers the injury record and OSHA context. OSHA and Injury Trend Context 3 11 Days-Away From Work Cases Over the Prior 12 Years In most years, the Town had either zero days-away cases or only one. Underlying records did not show a repeated pattern tied to one OSHA category or any other recurring type of incident. Workers’ Compensation Staff also reviewed recent workers’ compensation pricing information through the Town’s public risk pool. This did not suggest a recurring problem either. Safety Topics Most Relevant to Town Operations 4 Hazard Communication Ladder Safety Lockout / Tagout Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Eye / Face Protection Heat Exposure Respiratory Protection Fall Protection Machine Guarding Not every item on OSHA’s top 10 list applies to Town operations. Other Risks Reviewed Chainsaw use, heavy equipment operation, traffic-control exposure, bloodborne pathogens, herbicide application, and other field hazards. Town Operating Context 5 Facilities Building systems work such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire alarm, security, and building automation systems. Streets, Inspection, Code Roadway maintenance, traffic-control activity, and regular field visits for inspection and code enforcement. Parks, Grounds, Storm Response Herbicide application, mowing, operating backhoes and front loaders, chainsaw use, and storm response, including street clearance and sign repair. Most Town employees are not in field positions. The Town does not directly operate utilities, sanitation, or police services. Some larger-scale mowing, tree trimming, road construction, and similar work is handled by contractors. Examples of Current Safety Measures and Training 6 Supervision and Hiring Safety starts with capable employees. Supervisors and managers bring experience, training, and judgment to day- to-day decisions. PPE and Field Measures Employees use Town-provided PPE as needed, including respiratory and eye and face protection. The Town also provides a steel-toe work boot reimbursement program. Bloodborne Pathogens The Town has a bloodborne pathogens program and uses a specialized biohazard cleanup service. Position-Specific Training In-person training has included chainsaw safety, pressure-washer safety, hands-on instruction, and supervisory direction. Herbicide applicators also receive at least 6 hours of formal refresher training each year. Heat-Safety Plans Departments and divisions are required to maintain heat-safety plans. These include allowing more breaks, modified schedules, providing unlimited cool water, providing electrolytes, and shade. Outside Review The Town receives annual loss-control visits and had an ADOSH visit in 2015. The improvements made from that visit remain in place. Training Activity and Safety Administration 7 150+ Safety Courses Available 50+ Hours of Safety Instruction Available 1,200 Approx. 1,200 Online Classes Completed in the Last 5 Years 500+ Hours of Instruction Completed Online Libraries and Assignments SafePersonnel/Vector Solutions and Safety Source are available through AMRRP at no additional cost. As those libraries have expanded, the Town has increased required safety assignments. Injury Tracking and OSHA Records The Town tracks workplace injuries. OSHA 301 reports are completed at the time of injury. Annual OSHA 300 and 300A logs and reports are compiled as required. Bottom Line 8 What Was Asked Whether the Town is doing everything it reasonably can to help protect employee safety. What the Records Show The Town has a good track record with a small number of isolated injuries across a range of activities, not a repeated pattern tied to one OSHA category. Safety Measures in Place Town employees do work with safety risks, and the Town has supervision, PPE, training, recordkeeping, heat planning, and outside review in place. Questions