“Build It Right” Bill Aimed at Protecting Construction Workers in Nashville Proposed

Nashville Construction Workers May Soon Be Under Comprehensive Legislation for Safety

As construction sites dot the landscape of Nashville, Metro Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda has recently proposed an ordinance with the principal objective of protecting construction workers. The proposed ordinance, named the ‘Build It Right’ bill, emanates from Sepulveda’s tireless efforts over the past year towards creating a safer work environment for these workers. This safety concern transcends mere labor rights issues, resonating months, if not years, of alarming safety incidents resulting in fatal casualties in the industry.

Tragic Incidents Nurture the Need for Legislation

The rallying call for worker’s safety in construction has been particularly poignant, accentuated by two tragic construction worker deaths over the past couple of years. Gustavo Ramirez, a 16-year-old laborer, tragically lost his life in 2020 when he fell from scaffolding as high as 120 feet while working on the La Quinta Inn project. Another construction worker, Denis Ché, fell to his death while working on the roof of Glenclif High School in Antioch just last fall.

Roadmap to Safe Construction

Sepulveda, who has been an advocate for worker’s rights and safer construction practices, has now announced what the proposed legislation would entail. The ordinance focuses primarily on creating a consistent system to audit contracts across all departments, upholding workers’ rights, and ensuring compliance with equal business opportunity programs.

Detailed Overview of the “Build It Right” Bill

At its core, this legislative initiative seeks to establish a board with the authority to evaluate and investigate complaints related to construction contracts involving the Metro Government. This board also aims to provide policy recommendations to improve construction standards and impose stricter safety regulations. Essentially, it acts as a watchdog ensuring that all operations meet set safety standards to reduce and prevent tragic accidents in the future.

Support for the Initiative

Expounding on the importance of this bill, Sepulveda invites and encourages Nashville’s residents to step forward and express their support by approaching their council members. Unveiling of the proposal will be held on Tuesday at the Historic Courthouse, with a dedicated press conference scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Also expected to speak at the conference is a family member of the late Denis Ché.

This proposed legislation offers a shimmer of hope, a light in the looming dark cloud of safety and worker’s rights in Nashville’s construction industry. Will it prove to be the much-needed change in protecting the city’s construction workers? Only time will tell.