FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 11, 2006
PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Bloom (617.722.1650)

MAKING WORKPLACES SAFER TO BE HIGHLIGHTED IN REPORT BY SCAFFOLDING SUBCOMMITTEE

BOSTON – The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Scaffolding and Construction Safety released a report this morning detailing how the Commonwealth can – and must – do more to protect construction workers and passers by from hazards in the workplace. The subcommittee’s formation was the direct result of a fatal crane accident that occurred in Boston six months ago.

State Senator Jarrett Barrios, Chairman of the Public Safety and Homeland Security committee, along with his fellow committee and subcommittee members, workplace safety advocates, and union representatives announced their recommendations for improving worksite safety for workers and the general public by creating a criminally negligent homicide statute that would allow local and state prosecutors to go after willful violations of safety regulations.

“Employers unconcerned with workers’ safety will pay monetary fines as a cost of doing business in the Commonweatlh,” stated Senator Barrios. “There should be a way of pursuing them criminally.”

The Subcommittee also recommends adopting a State OSHA plan to cover all public employees. Currently, the Department of Occupational Safety within the Executive Office of Economic Development has sufficient numbers of trained inspectors and laboratory facilities to sustain these new responsibilities. An allocation of $500,000 would be sufficient to ensure a safer workplace for all public employees.

Inspections and licensing of scaffolding construction equipment is currently regulated in major cities such as New York City and Chicago. These scaffolding regulations work to further protect the safety of the public while also providing safety to workers. The Subcommittee recommends the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards, within the Department of Public Safety, issue regulations within Massachusetts State Building Code and implement these measures which would ensure additional protections.

 

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