HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 29

(By Delegate Warner)



Directing the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a study of toilet facilities for workers on locomotive engines and cabooses in West Virginia.

Whereas, Neither federal nor state legislation exists to assure that workers on locomotive engines and cabooses in West Virginia are provided with toilet facilities which are adequately lighted, heated, ventilated and regularly maintained in clean and sanitary condition by their employers; and
Whereas, Neither federal nor state legislation exists to assure that workers on locomotive engines and cabooses in West Virginia are provided with adequate clean water and other sanitation facilities for personal hygiene; and
Whereas, The health and safety of railroad workers is a legitimate concern of the State of West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby directed to review, examine and study the status of toilet and sanitation facilities for personal hygiene for railroad train and engine crews in West Virginia and the need to develop legislation to assure adequate and safe facilities, and to make recommendations to the Legislature related to their study; and,be it
Further Resolved, That the said Joint Committee on Government and Finance, in conducting their study, is directed to consult with the Public Service Commission, the Director of the Office of Environmental Health Services of the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health, the House Committee on Roads and Transportation, the United Transportation Union and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers; and, be it
Further Resolved, That representatives of the Joint Committee on Government and Finance inspect a representative sample of locomotives and cabooses and the toilet and sanitation facilities available to their crews, and where possible, accompany those crews during their work day; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1997, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.