Caucus Press Release: LCI Passes New Boiler Safety Restrictions
Apr 19, 2005
Rep. Converse Chellis
SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS / PRESS OFFICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLUMBIA -- Republicans on the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee approved a bill Tuesday that requires the state create new safety regulations for industrial boilers.
The bill, called the "Boiler Safety Act" was introduced last month in the Senate, but action was spurred following a boiler explosion at the Intertape Polymer plant in Columbia on March 31. The blast killed 47-year-old Tommy Jarvis.
South Carolina is the only state in the nation without boiler safety inspection laws.
"Boiler bills have been before the House several times in the past, but there have always been several groups against them," said Rep. Converse Chellis, R-Summerville. "It's sad that it took such a tragic accident for these groups to come together and support the bill."
Rep. Chellis is the chairman of the LCI subcommittee that first debated the bill. He said his interest in the bill came from a 1999 boiler accident at Summerville High School.
The bill requires the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to create new safety standards for new boilers and boilers currently in use -- making sure these new regulations are in line with national standards.
Rep. Chellis strengthened the bill, and reduced the cost to the state, by requiring anyone with a boiler submit insurance certificated so the state can keep track of every boiler in the state. He worked with the bill's author, Democratic Sen. Joel Lourie of Columbia, on the amendment.
The bill's success is due in large part to the hard work by the LCI staff bill, Rep. Chellis said. He also said he looked forward to working with the other Dorchester County Republicans, Reps. Annette Young and George Bailey, as the bill moves to the House floor. He also thanked Republican Senator Randy Scott of Summerville and Sen. Lourie for their work.
The boiler bill has already been approved by the Senate.
For More Information:
Rep. Converse Chellis
(803) 734-3239
(843) 937-9710
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