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Bill to Require Construction Workers to Participate in Safety Program Passes

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Senate Bill 376 would require onsite employees at certain works construction projects to complete an Occupational Safety and Health Administration approved ten-hour construction safety program.

Similar measures have been struck down in the past due to fears the program would decrease worker productivity.

Before the vote, one of the sponsors of a similar bill introduced on the House Delegate Phil Diserio gave an impassioned speech about why this measure needed to be taken.

“I had the opportunity one morning to wake a couple up and tell them their son was never coming home again,” Delegate Diserio said. “That couple happened to be my parents. To quote the words from song I listened to this morning ‘God forbid you ever wake to hear the news knowing that you had the chance to choose.’ Please vote green on the bill.”

Senate Bill 376, requiring OSHA safety programs for certain construction workers passed the House by a vote of 91-4.