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Council member presses city on worker exposure; administrator outlines testing and EPA tracking plan
Summary
Council Member Kerry Gorby asked why city employees were entering excavation sites she described as exposing workers; City Administrator Andrea Sibley said staff will seek funding to involve the EPA and cited documentation and on-site testing and PPE as immediate mitigation steps.
Council Member Kerry Gorby pressed the City of Caney on worker safety during the Feb. 17 council meeting, asking, "City employees [are] being exposed. Why are employees being allowed in holes?"
City Administrator Andrea Sibley responded that staff are documenting prior fixes and pursuing funding to involve the Environmental Protection Agency. Sibley said, "several layers to go through will take a couple months to get funding to have EPA. Has copies of every fix from 2024 to track for EPA." She added that crews use test kits before digging and require personal protective equipment and hand-washing to reduce exposure risks, summarizing that tests and PPE are current, near-term mitigations while funding and EPA involvement are pursued.
Council Member Elizabeth Burch asked how the city plans to mitigate "where hot zones are for city workers." Sibley answered that crews "have test kits before the dig they can test the dirt making sure they are wearing PPE, washing hands." The exchange emphasized documentation, short-term field testing and protective gear as immediate steps and seeking external funding for a potential EPA review as a longer-term measure.
No formal motion or vote was recorded on these safety matters during the meeting. The council proceeded with other agenda items and adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
