Boston City Councilor Stephen Murphy Wants to Tighten Up Laboratory Laws

At-Large Boston City Councilor Stephen Murphy wants to require city laboratories to have specific policies to only allow authorized transportation of hazardous materials. 

Murphy backed up his proposed ordinance with a recent accident. "There was an incident two weeks ago where an employee at a Northeastern lab was able to leave the premises with cyanide and harm herself," said Murphy. "This amendment will tighten the ordinance we already have on the books and prevent other breaches from occurring."

The ordinance would be amendment to his 2006 ordinance that requires city laboratories to register their contents with the Boston Fire Department in order to protect first responders. The BFD now keeps inventory of materials at the laboratories.

It also calls for the BFD commissioner to create an inspection program to ensure these policies are effective and enforced. Murphy introduced the amendment yesterday at the regular meeting of the Boston City Council.