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Representative _______________________ State House Room # ________ Boston, MA. 02133 ___ / ___ / 2009
Dear Representative __________________________,
As your constituent, I am writing today in opposition to House Bill 2208 (Docket #2505). This bill, if passed, will undermine public safety in the Commonwealth by bypassing our long standing laws that protect us.
Please do not allow HB.2208 to get that far.
Sincerely,
Name: ____________________ Address: __________________ __________________ __________________ Phone: ____________________
Representative __________________ State House Room # ________ Boston, MA. 02133
___ / ___ / 2009 I am a licensed ______________________________________ per M. G. L. Chapter 146 by the Division of Inspections in the Department of Public Safety. I am in opposition to HOUSE BILL .......No. 2208, “An Act relative to steam boilers” This bills, if passed, will have a devastating effect on the safe operation of high pressure steam boilers and DO NOT serve the best interests of Public Safety and the Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In November of 1997, Associated Industries of Massachusetts (A.I.M.) persuaded the Massachusetts Legislature to delete a fundamental safety aspect of M. G. L. Chapter 146 in the interest of cutting operating costs. This change left low pressure steam boilers and steam supply equipment unattended and unprotected by trained and duly licensed operators. Less than 10 years later in 2006, we had a catastrophic explosion of immense proportion in Danvers, MA. If the explosion happened just 3.5 hours later at 7 AM, it is probable that everyone on the sight would have been harmed or killed. While there were many other factors contributing to the immensity of the explosion (felt even 45 miles away), the key was the heating source and that source was an unattended live steam supply. You may be asking yourself just what a trained and duly licensed operator would have done to prevent the Danvers explosion. In the Danvers explosion case a live steam valve was (inadvertently) left open to a vat of chemicals. The operator would have been required under M. G. L. Chapter 146 to record all steam flows, pressures and temperatures associated with this valve. Knowing this information alone would have led the operator to correct the deficiency. It is clear that a duly licensed operator is held to a higher standard by M. G. L. Chapter 146. The Chief of Inspections and the District Inspectors in the Division of Inspections of the Department of Public Safety take extreme interest in upholding this most important law in the interest of Public Safety. On-the-other-hand, HB.2208 dismantles M. G. L. Chapter 146 and Public Safety will be compromised beyond repair. Very quickly the Department of Public Safety will be in over its head and at the whim of industry. Please do not allow the Department of Public Safety to make these radical changes. This policy is not in the best interest of Public Safety. I ask that you vote against HB-2208. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration on this important issue. Sincerely, NAME: _______________________ ADDRESS: ____________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ PHONE #: _____________________ Representative ________________________ State House Room # ________ Boston, MA. 02133 __ / __ / 2009
I am a licensed ______________________________________ per M. G. L. Chapter 146 by the Division of Inspections in the Department of Public Safety.
I am in opposition to House Bill 2208, “An Act relative to steam boilers” This bill, if passed, will have a devastating effect on the safe operation of high pressure steam boilers and DO NOT serve the best interests of Public Safety and the Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In November of 1997, the Massachusetts Legislature deleted a fundamental safety aspect of M. G. L. Chapter 146. This change left low pressure steam boilers and steam supply equipment unattended and unprotected by licensed operators. Less than 10 years later in 2006, we had a catastrophic explosion of immense proportion in Danvers, MA.
The Chief of Inspections and the District Inspectors in the Division of Inspections take extreme interest in upholding this most important law. HB.2208 seeks to dismantle M. G. L. Chapter 146
Please do not allow the Department of Public Safety to make these radical changes. This policy is not in the best interest of Public Safety. I ask that you vote against HB-2208.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration on this important issue.
Sincerely, NAME: _______________________ ADDRESS: ____________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ PHONE #: _____________________ Representative _____________________ State House Room # ________ Boston, MA. 02133
___ / ___ / 2009
Dear Representative _________________________, I am a duly licensed _____________________ in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I have been in the field for______ years as of _________. I have devoted my time, effort, career and energy to upholding M. G. L. Chapter 146 for all that time. Now, I find myself upholding it in the political arena. Upon hearing this, I hope that you will have no doubt as to my intentions in contacting you today. I am deeply concerned and opposed to House Bill 2208.
House Bill 2208 seeks to weaken the current continuous attendance requirement for high pressure steam boilers that are 501 Horse Power and above by allowing a waiver loophole to industry. It names the Department of Public Safety’s Commissioner as the appointing authority granting this waiver to the rule. The problem is that an unqualified, short term political appointee could have the power to remove a safe guard in place for over 100 years. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been a leader in this field for the rest of the country. If we fail to uphold this high standard, the rest of the country will follow suit
Can I count on your support in the interest of public safety on these issues? Sincerely, Name: ______________________________ Address: ____________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Phone #: _____________________________ Michael A. Costello, State Representative House Chair, Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security State House, Room 167 Boston, MA 02133
RE: House No. 2208, An Act Relative to Steam Boilers.
Dear Chairman Costello:
House Bill 2208, which has been referred to your committee, would eliminate the requirement of a licensed fireman or engineer in attendance, at all times, of high pressure boilers in excess of 501 horse power, upon a grant of a waiver from the Department of Public Safety based upon the automation of the boiler.
The Bill suggests that automatic controls, subject to failure at any time, could replace the constant attendance of an experienced licensed fireman or engineer on large high-pressure boiler plants. This dangerous and risky bill would overturn the requirements of the past 100 years to maintain high-pressure boiler safety. There are literally thousands of highly skilled, well educated, power plant operators who have been thoroughly examined by Department of Public Safety’s Engineering Inspectors. These licensed power plant operators have been examined for their competency and trustworthiness to operate steam plants in Massachusetts, and have proven to be a major success by dramatically minimizing and reducing accidents and potential fatalities within the power plant industry for over 100 years and with your help and the Joint Committee's assistance will continue to do so for future generations. I urge you and the Joint Committee members to recommend “ought not to pass” on House No. 2208.
Respectfully,
Name_________________________________ Address: ______________________________ ______________________________________ Phone: ________________________________ |