Town adopts expanded workplace violence policy and establishes hazard reduction team

The Town of Clinton Town Board voted to adopt an expanded workplace violence prevention policy and to establish a hazard reduction team as required under the adopted policy.

Board members said the town previously had a shorter policy but that a more comprehensive version recommended for larger communities was appropriate given recent events and discussions with the union representing highway workers. The policy requires the appointment of a hazard reduction team to conduct risk evaluations, recommend risk-reduction strategies, coordinate employee training and investigate incidents.

In appointing the team, the board named a town HR coordinator (recorded in the meeting as Kathy Gallinger) to facilitate training and administration, and designated two town board liaisons with highway responsibilities (listed in the meeting record as Marion and Charlie) along with the mayor (recorded as Mayor Nospitz). The board noted one member of the hazard reduction team must not be a town board member; the HR coordinator fulfills that requirement. The board also discussed obtaining guidance from PERMA or other outside providers to support the team’s technical tasks.

Ending: The team will begin work on a comprehensive risk evaluation and training plan; the board indicated it will rely on external guidance as needed and return progress to a future meeting.