Governor Tim Walz signed a bill into law Tuesday to improve workplace safety and training standards at oil refineries.
The bill requires a percentage of third-party contractor employees be graduates or apprentices in a registered apprenticeship program.
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan were joined by legislators, labor advocates, and members of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades at Pipefitters Local 455 to celebrate the bill signing.
“We will not cut corners when it comes to workplace safety in Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “We are adding safeguards and improving training standards, so that workers can return home safe. Today, we’re celebrating this win to improve the safety of our oil refineries and recommitting ourselves to the fight to keep our workers and their families safe.”
Flanagan said that working in refineries is a tough job and the state should do all they can to keep them safe.
“This legislation provides critical improvements to workplace safety and training standards,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.
“I’m grateful to the workers who persistently showed up to make this happen and to our partners in the legislature who are committed to fighting and delivering for workers. Together, we can do right by workers and their families here in Minnesota.”
These requirements would be phased in over time, and certain exemptions are provided for in the bill.
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