By Bob Katzen
The House and Senate, on a voice vote without a roll call, approved and sent to Gov. Healey legislation that would create a public database of violations of the state’s fire prevention laws and a public notification system to alert workers of violations.
The measure is designed to boost safety for firefighters and people conducting “hot work” including welding, plasma cutting and spark-producing construction. The proposed law has been ten years in the making and was first prompted by the March 2014 deaths of firefighters Edward Walsh and Michael Kennedy who perished while fighting a fire that was caused by welders, working without a city permit, on a building next door to the brownstone in which they died.
“I am grateful to the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and Boston Firefighters Local 718, whose advocacy never wavered throughout this process,” said sponsor Sen. Nick Collins (D-South Boston). “In the wake of an unimaginable loss, they remained committed to ensuring that future firefighters, tradespeople and workers would be better protected. This legislation is the result of that commitment, as well as the collaborative work of my colleagues in the Senate and House. While it was born from tragedy, it leaves behind a lasting legacy, one that will help save lives and make workplaces safer for years to come.”
“This legislation is another important tool in protecting the safety of residents, firefighters and trades workers across the commonwealth,” said sponsor Rep. David Biele (D-Boston). “Collecting statewide data regarding fire code violations and non-compliance with fire prevention laws and hot works requirements in a publicly available database combined with an automated notification system for relevant property owners will increase public safety.”
“With this bill, we honor the memory of Lt. Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy by doing everything in our power to make sure no firefighter or tradesperson faces those conditions again, and no family has to experience that kind of heartbreak,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “This legislation ensures that dangerous hot work violations are tracked, reported and acted upon, so we can prevent tragedies before they happen.”