Daytona plant blast spurs call for safety task force

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Local/newEAST01032808.htm

March 28, 2008

By JIM SAUNDERS
Tallahassee Bureau Chief

TALLAHASSEE -- Prompted by a deadly explosion at a Daytona Beach wastewater treatment plant, Florida lawmakers are considering a proposal aimed at increasing the safety of government workers.

A Senate committee unanimously approved a bill Thursday that would create a 15-member task force to look at ways to make sure cities, counties and state agencies comply with federal safety standards.

Sen. Evelyn Lynn, an Ormond Beach Republican who is sponsoring the measure, said those standards apply to private-industry workers, but not government employees.

In 2006, an explosion at the Bethune Point wastewater-treatment plant killed two Daytona Beach workers and severely injured another. The blast came as workers used a cutting torch on the roof of a tank that contained flammable methanol.

"I really think it is unfair to have our employees in the public sector not have the same safety precautions," Lynn told the Senate Governmental Operations Committee.

It's unclear whether lawmakers will pass the proposal before the legislative session ends in May. A similar House bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Joyce Cusack, D-DeLand, has not been heard in committees.

FULL story at link.