New law mandates safe entrance and exit points for construction workers at jobsites
STATE HOUSE — Legislation sponsored by House Municipal Government and Housing Committee Chairman Stephen M. Casey and Sen. Brian J. Thompson that ensures that construction workers can safely exit and enter their jobsites by prohibiting the locking of exits and entrances while workers are present has been signed into law.
“At any workplace, it is essential that workers have a safe point of egress in case of an emergency, such as a fire, structural collapse or sudden medical emergency. Construction sites are no different, yet too often their operators lock the gates while construction is ongoing, potentially trapping their workers in a dangerous situation when delay could be deadly. This bill addresses an important oversight in our workplace safety laws by making sure construction sites have safe exit and entrance points whenever workers are present, just like offices, schools and any other workplace,” said Chairman Casey (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket), who works as a firefighter in the city of Woonsocket.
“Construction is an inherently dangerous industry and it is vitally important that we ensure the safety and well-being of construction workers. This bill closes a loophole that allows entrance and exit points to be locked during work hours, which currently prevents the safe entrance or egress of workers in case of emergency. It’s the right thing to do to keep our construction workers safe from harm,” said Senator Thompson (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland).
The legislation (2025-H 5946A, 2025-S 0722A) prohibits anyone from blocking the entrance and exit points of construction sites with locked gates, chains, fences or other barriers while construction is taking place, and mandate that all jobsites have an open access point for workers to freely enter and exit while construction is taking place.
Violators will receive a written warning and an order to open or unlock whatever barrier is in place. Subsequent violations will result in an immediate stoppage of work at the site and a hearing with the Department of Labor and Training, which will levy a fine of $1,000 for each day the construction site was in violation.
“This is a common-sense piece of legislation that will help protect the safety of Rhode Island construction workers. Thank you to Chairman Casey and the House of Representatives for leading the way on making Rhode Island a safer place to earn a living,” said Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.
