OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 5034 (as amended by House "A")*

AN ACT CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION SAFETY.

SUMMARY:

This bill requires all state or municipal contracts of $ 100,000 or more for constructing or repairing a public building receiving any state financing to require that the contractor prove that all its employees performing manual labor or telecommunications work have completed safety training. Manual laborers must complete a 10-hour construction safety course conducted in accordance with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Training Institute standards. Telecommunications workers must complete 10 hours in federal OSHA telecommunications safety training. Proof of course or training completion must be submitted to the labor commissioner within 30 days after the contract is awarded.

The bill requires the Labor Department to remove from the construction worksite any manual laborer who does not have proof of course completion, unless he provides proof within 15 days after he was found in noncompliance. The bill requires the commissioner to accept an OSHA Training Institute student course completion card or other such proof that he deems appropriate. Course completion cards are valid for five years.

The bill does not provide a similar enforcement procedure for telecommunications workers found without proof of safety training.

The bill defines “public building” as a structure, funded at least partly by the state, with a roof and exterior or fire walls designed for housing, shelter, enclosure, and support or employment of people, animals, or property of any kind, including sewage-treatment and water-treatment plants. It does not include site work; roads or bridges; rail lines; parking lots; or underground water, sewer, or drainage systems including pump houses or other utility systems.

The bill applies to contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2007 by the state and any of its political subdivisions, which includes quasi-public agencies. It requires the labor commissioner to adopt the necessary regulations by January 1, 2007.

*House Amendment “A” applies the bill's requirements to buildings paid for using any amount of state funds, rather than just those that are wholly state funded.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2006

BACKGROUND

Federal Telecommunications Safety Training

Federal regulations require employers to provide safety training for telecommunications workers working in the field or at phone centers and prohibits workers from performing such work until they receive the training (29 CFR 1910. 268).

Legislative History

The House referred the bill (File 169) to the Planning and Development Committee, which reported the substitute that imposes the safety training requirement only on projects where the public building is entirely funded by the state.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Labor and Public Employees Committee

Joint Favorable Change of Reference

Government Administration and Elections Committee

Joint Favorable

Planning and Development Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute