ITEM:

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

6.

CONSIDER expenditure of BUDGETED Funds FOR CONFINED SPACES FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT aT the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility

 

Meeting Date:

March 18, 2013

Budgeted: 

No

 

From:

David J. Stoldt,

General Manager

Program/

Aquatic Resources/Fisheries

 

 

Line Item No.:

(2-3-1A)

 

 

 

Prepared By:

Cynthia Schmidlin/

Cost Estimate:

Up to $5,000

 

Cory Hamilton

 

 

 

General Counsel Approval:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on March 11, 2013 and recommended approval.

CEQA Compliance:  N/A

 

SUMMARY:  The Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility (SHSRF) has three identified confined spaces, two of which require fall protection per OSHA rules.  Staff annually enter at least two of these confined spaces, and more if emergency repairs are required. In the past the district used an OSHA-approved tripod and winch to satisfy the fall protection requirement. In 2006, high flows in the river eroded away part of the bank that supports the pump gallery (main pumps for SHSRF).  This event has made the tripod unsafe and ineffective to use for fall protection when entering the pump gallery to work on the main pumps. The district has been using Lee and Associates, a confined space rescue team, to bring their equipment for us to use, so that we are not in OHSA violation when we enter the confined space to service the pumps. The same company provides our mandated confined space rescue training.  Rates for the confined space rescue crew are shown in Exhibit 6-A.  Cost per weekday, 8am to 5pm for a one man crew and equipment for an over-24 hour notice is $1,200 ($2,400 for two man crew). Costs for weekend or holiday use can run over $2,000 per day.

 

Cost for a hoist device which attaches to a truck hitch and will satisfy OSHA fall protection rules would not exceed $5,000. Products from several vendors are now being considered. Use of a device that will attach to a truck hitch, means that it will be much more versatile in remote conditions, such as the SHSRF.  This is the type of device that Lee and Associates uses during our training and emergency repair activities.  Purchase of this hoist device will enable staff to complete the repairs that need to be done in the confined spaces without the need to hire a confined space rescue crew.  

 

$1,000 of the cost for the hoist device may be reimbursed to the District by the Special District’s Risk Management Authority (SDRMA), which provides our property/liability and workers compensation coverage.  Last year the SDRMA Board of Directors approved a new Loss Prevention Allowance Fund Policy. The loss prevention allowance fund can be used by members to receive reimbursement for loss prevention efforts such as:

For 2012-13, $25,000 was included in budgets for both Property/Liability and Workers' Compensation Programs. Members can submit a request for reimbursement to SDRMA for amounts spent on loss prevention efforts during the program year up to a maximum of $1,000 per year.  Requests are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis until the funds are depleted. Currently, sufficient funds remain to cover a District request for reimbursement for the confined spaces fall protection equipment. 

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES:  Cost for a hoist device would not exceed $5,000.  The FY 2012-2013 Budget includes $39,000 for SHSRF general operations and maintenance. 

 

RECOMMENDATION:  Authorize the General Manager to expend up to $5,000 for purchase of a hoist device that will satisfy OSHA fall protection requirements for permitted confined spaces.   

 

EXHIBIT

6-A      Summary of Current Rates for Lee and Associates, Rescue Equipment, INC.

 

 

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