City of Columbus - File #: 0104-2017

• File #: 0104-2017
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 1/10/2017
• In control: Administration Committee
• On agenda: 1/30/2017
• Final action: 2/1/2017
• Title: To authorize the Director of Human Resources to contract with Mount Carmel Health Systems / Occupational Health to provide all eligible employees occupational safety and health medical services from March 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018; to authorize the expenditure of $353,669.00 from the employee benefits fund, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to pay the costs of said contract; and to declare an emergency. ($353,669.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
2/1/2017	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
1/31/2017	1	MAYOR	Signed
1/30/2017	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
1/30/2017	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass

Explanation
BACKGROUND: In 1984, the City responded to concerns raised by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding potential exposures to employees at the City’s trash burning power plant. The City began testing employees at the Columbus Department of Health. In particular, the Occupational Safety and Health Clinic provided medical surveillance examinations, pre-placement examinations, immunizations, health and fitness assessments, clearance for respirator wear, assessment of workers’ fitness for duty, consultation, hearing conservation training, and audiometric testing.

In 2006, the Department of Health became Columbus Public Health. The entity’s primary focus is monitoring community health status, identifying and addressing public health threats, enforcing laws that protect the public's health, and providing services to prevent and control disease. In the face of this change, and to provide focused and coordinated occupational safety and health medical services in accordance with the Public Employment Risk Reduction Program (PERRP), OSHA, and the state Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC), the City of Columbus shifted the operations of employee occupational safety and health medical services from Columbus Public Health to the Department of Human Resources.

Currently, the Occupational Safety and Health Clinic provides surveillance exams to City employees at risk and appropriate follow up, identifies occupationally related disease or disability, assists in rehabilitation activities, determines fitness and suitability for assigned work, promotes and maintains PERRP/OSHA compliance, promotes health, wellness, and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease/injury, provides assistance in injury care activities and in rehabilitation activities, and provides educational and/or training programs promoting employee wellness and safe work practices.

This ordinance authorizes and dir...