Mark MacKenzie, D-Manchester, has previously sponsored similar legislation, aimed at closing the gap between public and private workplace oversight. Labor Commissioner Ken Merrifield said his department will do whatever the legislature asks when it comes to reviewing workplace injuries. Merrifield said the Labor Department traditionally avoids taking a position, either advocating or discouraging particular legislation, and only provides technical assistance to the legislature. He said, however, that he would not discourage efforts to give the Labor Department more investigative authority. “Nobody ever wants to see a death in the workplace, but there are complex relationship questions that I’m sure the legislature will carefully consider,” Merrifield said.

Source: Daily Sun November 29, 2017 06:00 UTC