Bill > S1348

This bill amends Section 29 of Chapter 149 of the Massachusetts General Laws to address worksite safety contract provisions. Specifically, the bill prohibits parties in construction contracts from transferring their legal or contractual responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace or complying with safety standards to another party. This means that if a party breaches their duty to ensure workplace safety, they cannot shift the financial or legal consequences of that breach (such as paying for claims, legal defenses, or insurance costs) to another party through contract language. Any contract provisions attempting to transfer such responsibilities will be considered void and against public policy. The intent of this legislation appears to be ensuring that parties directly responsible for workplace safety cannot legally escape accountability for safety failures by contractually shifting blame or financial liability to other parties.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1348