Connecticut Senate Bill SB00743

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/19
• Refer: 1/29/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Occupational Safety And Health Administration Ten-hour Training Cards.

Impact

The extension of training card validity is positioned as a means to reduce operational costs for state contractors who work on significant public projects exceeding $100,000. By requiring fewer renewals, the bill could encourage compliance with OSHA regulations while minimizing disruption to project timelines and contractor operations. This change is expected to be particularly beneficial for smaller contractors who may struggle with the costs and logistics associated with frequent training renewal.

Summary

SB00743 aims to amend the general statutes regarding the validity of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ten-hour training cards. The proposed legislation sets forth that these training cards will be valid for ten years instead of the current five years, specifically for contractors whose employees are engaged in public building projects funded in part or fully by the state. The bill is intended to streamline the process for contractors, reducing the frequency with which they need to renew training cards, thereby alleviating some administrative and financial burdens.

Contention

While proponents champion this bill for its potential to ease the regulatory load on contractors, there may be concerns regarding workplace safety. Critics might argue that extending the renewal period for training cards could hinder the timely updating of safety practices and standards. As safety protocols may evolve, maintaining current training is crucial, especially in the construction industry, which is inherently risky. Thus, the debate around SB00743 could center on balancing regulatory efficiency with the imperative of ensuring up-to-date safety training in the workforce.