Legislation would require public database of safety violations
BOSTON (3/28/2024)—Today the Senate unanimously passed legislation to boost safety for people conducting “hot work”—welding, plasma cutting, and spark-producing construction—by requiring the state to create a public database of violations of the fire prevention statute, and a public notification system to alert workers of violations.
The passage of S.1485—An Act relative to violation of regulation regarding hot work processes—comes in the days following the ten year anniversary of the tragic nine alarm fire in the Back Bay, started by welders working on a nearby iron railing, that resulted in the deaths of two Boston firefighters.
The Senate bill would work to prevent such tragedies by promoting transparency and prioritizing safety for Massachusetts firefighters.
“I am glad to see this legislation moving forward to help prevent fires from hot work violations,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Mentored by Senator Ken Donnelly, a former firefighter, I know how important it is that we mitigate the dangers that these first responders face, and I was proud to vote along with my colleagues to unanimously pass this bill.”
Having been passed by the Senate, the bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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