Submitted by Rep. Ken Gordon (D-Bedford)
Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House to pass legislation requiring public employers to provide the same standard of protection to their employees as required by the federal Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA). The bill also expands the Massachusetts OSHA hazard advisory board.
“It is important that we provide the same workplace safety for our municipal workers as we do for everyone else,” said Representative Gordon. “We have had instances where workers on city projects have been hurt because job sites were not inspected properly. The families of these workers do not care whether the projects are private or public. Safety must be our number one goal.”
This legislation would go into effect in October 2018 and would extend protections to more than 400,000 workers in the Commonwealth.
Other legislators added their voices:
- “This legislation will extend important protections for public employees and help to establish best practices when it comes to workplace safety,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “I thank Chairman Brodeur and Chairman O’Day, and look forward to seeing the positive impact of this legislation.”
- Representative Paul Brodeur, House Chairman of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, added, “This legislation extends the workplace safety protections that many of us take for granted to thousands of employees across the commonwealth. Through a collaborative process, we found common ground on all sides and produced a bill to make a safer Massachusetts.”
- “I’m heartened by the opportunity to finally put the finishing touches on protections from unsafe working conditions for workers in the Commonwealth,” said Representative James O’Day, House sponsor. “It’s time we put an end to preventable injuries and fatalities on the job. On behalf of so many public sector workers in the Commonwealth whose lives are protected by this bill, I’m grateful to Speaker DeLeo for his leadership in getting this across the finish line.”
Earlier this year Massachusetts enacted legislation that established essential protections in the workplace for pregnant employees. The bill guaranteed reasonable accommodations and prohibited discrimination against pregnant workers.
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