02-09-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST ��Q)�$�1[N(�CTION FE� 0 9 2015 DATE: February 9, 2015 C1TY OF ORONO - ITEM NO: � 3 Department Approval: � Administrator Reviewed: Agenda Section: IVame Adam T. Edwards ;1/ Public Works Director/ Title Public Works Director City Engineer's Report Item Description: Public Works Steel Toe Boot Reimbursement 1. Purpose. The purpose of this Counci] action is to gain Council approval to raise the m�imum annua) reimbursement for steel toed boots to$175 for public works employees. 2. Issue. The current maximum annual reimbursement of$125 per annum is insufficient to cover the current price of quality steel toe safety work boots. 3. Background. Safety boots are a critical piece of safety equipment required by MN OSHA for wear by Public Works employees in the completion of the assigned duties. The City uses a reimbursement mechanism to provide boots for its public works employees. a. OSHA 29CFR 1910.136 addresses foot protection as part of personal protective equipment. The general reyuirement is that the employer must ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards. b. MN Statute 182.655 Subd. ]Oa. Protective equipment Where appropriate, standards shall prescribe suitable protective equipment, if feasible engineering and administrative methods of protection alone do not provide adequate protection, and this equipment shall be made available by and at the cost of the employer.' c. Per the City's employee handbook : Steel Toe Boots Reimbursement Public Works employees and the Golf Course Superintendent shall receive an annual - reimbursement as established by resolution for the purchase of steel toe boots. The employee must submit the standard reimbursement form along with a receipt for the purchase. The reimbursement shall not exceed the annual amount established by City Council resolution.z d. The last Council action related to boots,taken March 28,2005 raised the annual reimbursement from $I 00, set in 1998,to$125. Currently the average cost of a pair of steel toed work boots is $178. The average for a pair of insulated work boots is$215.3 4. Funding. The boots are included in the Clothing and Personal Equipment line of the Public Works Budget. The budgeted amount for 2015 is$3500. The budget can absorb the potential additional expenditures. 5. Recommendation. I recommend approval of the$175 Steel Toe Boot Reimbursement. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: Move to raise the maximum annual steel boot reimbursement to $175 per year. ' https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=182.655 Z Page 29, Employee Handbook,City of Orono,2011. 3 Based pricing for the 1 O55 steel toed boots offered at Steel-toe shoes.com