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Bill

HD 5059

A communication from Commissioner of the Division of Occupational Licensure (see Section 1 of Chapter 82A of the General Laws) submitting the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI) annual report on fines imposed, collected and expended regarding evacuation and trench safety for fiscal year 2025

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Massachusetts requires annual reporting on fines imposed and spent for trench and evacuation safety violations to increase workplace safety enforcement transparency.

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Bill Summary · HD 5059

Legislative bill overview

HD 5059 is a regulatory reporting requirement that directs the Commissioner of the Division of Occupational Licensure to submit an annual report on fines collected and spent related to evacuation and trench safety enforcement during fiscal year 2025. The report documents enforcement actions and financial penalties imposed by the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI).

Why is this important

Trench collapses and evacuation failures are leading causes of workplace fatalities in construction. This reporting requirement creates transparency around how effectively safety violations are being punished and whether collected fines are being reinvested in safety programs. Public reporting can incentivize compliance and reveal gaps in enforcement.

Potential points of contention

  • Adequacy of penalties: The report may show that fines are too low to deter unsafe behavior, raising questions about whether current penalty structures are effective
  • Resource allocation: Questions may arise about whether collected fines are being appropriately spent on safety inspections, training, or if they're diverted to general revenue
  • Enforcement coverage: The report could reveal whether OPSI has sufficient staffing and resources to adequately inspect high-risk trench work sites across the state

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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