This bill amends existing legislation regarding skilled and trained workforce requirements at high-hazard industrial facilities in New Jersey. It expands the definition of "covered high-hazard industrial facilities" to include any stationary source or industrial facility that generates, stores, handles, treats, processes, refines, transports, or uses hazardous chemicals or petroleum products, and is subject to federal or state safety management standards. The bill removes specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and instead focuses on safety-related criteria to determine which facilities are subject to these requirements.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the necessity of employing a skilled and trained workforce for construction, alteration, demolition, installation, repair, and maintenance work at these facilities. It introduces new provisions that require contractors and subcontractors to ensure that their onsite workforce consists of skilled journeypersons or registered apprentices who have completed advanced safety training. The intent of these changes is to enhance public health and safety, protect the environment, and foster workforce development through registered apprenticeship programs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:11-56.72, 34:11-56.73, 34:11-56.74