House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North
Reading) has appointed Representative Susannah Whipps (R-Athol) to serve as his
designee on a special commission that will study the regulation of cutting,
welding and other hot work processes governed by the state fire code to enhance
the safety of the public and first responders.
Representative Whipps is one of four state legislators
serving on the 11-member special commission, which will also include State Fire
Marshal Peter Ostroskey, Boston Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn, and five members
appointed by Governor Charlie Baker with backgrounds in public safety and related
construction trades.
“As the owner of a company that manufactures equipment for
the water and wastewater industry, Representative Whipps is very familiar with the
regulations and standards governing welding work,” said Representative Jones. “Susannah’s knowledge in this area will be an
asset to the special commission as it considers potential changes to the
current state fire code.”
As part of its investigation, the special commission will
study the current requirements for issuing licenses and permits for hot work
processes that are capable of initiating a fire or explosion to determine if
these requirements provide adequate protections. The special commission will also consider the
use of supervised details and firewatchers; the adequacy of fees to cover
inspection, oversight and other municipal costs; the deterrent effect of
penalties for violations; cost recovery assessment for damages resulting from
the failure to comply with rules and regulations; the training and
certification required to perform the work; and other ways to enhance work safety.
The special commission will file a report containing its
findings, including any proposed legislation, by June 1, 2017.
A seventh generation Athol resident who previously served
for nine years on the Athol Board of Selectmen, Representative Whipps was
recently re-elected to her second two-year term in the Massachusetts
Legislature. She represents the Second
Franklin District, which consists of the communities of Erving, Gill, New
Salem, Orange, Warwick, Wendell, Belchertown, Athol, Petersham, Phillipston,
Royalston, and Templeton.
