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SD 2497

An Act improving safety measures for highway maintenance personnel

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Driscoll

Massachusetts bill enhances highway maintenance worker safety through improved protective equipment and traffic control protocols to reduce work-zone injuries and deaths.

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Bill Summary · SD 2497

Legislative bill overview

SD 2497 proposes enhanced safety measures for highway maintenance workers in Massachusetts, likely including requirements for protective equipment, traffic control protocols, and work zone standards. The bill aims to reduce injuries and fatalities among personnel who perform roadwork on active highways where they face exposure to vehicle traffic.

Why is this important

Highway maintenance workers face disproportionately high injury and fatality rates compared to other occupations, with many incidents occurring in active traffic zones. Improved safety standards could prevent deaths and serious injuries while reducing workers' compensation costs and project delays caused by accidents.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden: Enhanced safety requirements may increase project expenses for the state DOT and municipalities, potentially affecting infrastructure budgets
  • Implementation complexity: New safety protocols require worker training, equipment procurement, and supervision changes that could slow maintenance operations
  • Existing federal standards: Massachusetts may already follow OSHA and federal highway standards, raising questions about whether state-level additions create redundancy or meaningful improvements

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

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