Massachusetts Workplace Safety and Health Protection for Public Employees
Massachusetts Workplace Safety and Health Protection for Public Employees
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 149, §§ 6 and 6-1/2 provide job safety and health protection for state, municipal and county workers through the promotion of safe and healthful work conditions. In addition, 454 CMR 25 directly extends OSHA regulations to executive branch state agencies.
Employers: Employers are required to provide procedures, equipment and training to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses.
Employees: Employees are required to comply with the policies and procedures established in their workplace to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses.
Inspection: The Department of Labor Standards (“DLS”) may conduct an on-site inspection to evaluate workplace conditions and make recommendations for the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses. See “Inspection Summary” at www.mass.gov/dols/wshp.
Enforcement: DLS may issue a Written Warning which contains an Order to Correct when an inspection reveals a condition which could cause a work-related injury or illness. DLS may issue a Civil Citation with Civil Penalty in circumstances when the employer repeatedly allows an unsafe condition to occur, the condition has already caused a serious work-related injury, or if the employer has ignored a previous Written Warning.
Voluntary Assistance: Public sector workplaces may request technical assistance by contacting DLS at 508-616-0461 or safepublicworkplace [at] state [dot] ma [dot] us (safepublicworkplace[at]state[dot]ma[dot]us). There are no written warnings or penalties issued for voluntary assistance.
Complaints: Public employees or their representatives may file a complaint about safety and health conditions at their workplace by contacting DLS at 508-616-0461 or safepublicworkplace [at] state [dot] ma [dot] us (safepublicworkplace[at]state[dot]ma[dot]us).
Safety and Health Management: Sample safety programs and technical bulletins are available at www.mass.gov/dols/wshp.
www.mass.gov/dols/wshp 508-616-0461