Skip to Content

General Laws

Click to PrintPrint Page

Section 1Definitions
Section 2Enforcement of chapter
Section 3Inspections and investigations
Section 4Reports of diseases
Section 5Investigations of industrial conditions; complaints; prosecutions
Section 6Safety devices and means to prevent accidents and diseases generally; fees for structural painting
Section 6AMonitoring, inspection and investigation of work involving asbestos
Section 6BLicense for business activities involving asbestos; fee
Section 6CHealth and safety of general public and asbestos workers; rules and regulations
Section 6DComplaints by employees relating to asbestos; retaliation by employer
Section 6D.5Employer required to reimburse uncompensated care pool; retaliation by employer
Section 6EViolations of workplace standards relating to asbestos; cease and desist orders
Section 6FPenalties
Section 6F1/2Action for temporary restraining order or injunction against violations of Secs. 6A to 6E; enforcement
Section 6GRelease or waiver of damages caused by asbestos
Section 7Committees for investigations and recommendation of regulations
Section 8Notices and hearings before adoption of regulations and orders; effective dates
Section 9Appeals; suspensions pending hearings; enforcement of orders; other remedies
Section 10Entry of places of employment for investigations
Section 11Reports by physicians generally
Section 11AOccupational lead registry; blood lead testing reports; regulations; enforcement
Section 12Regulations prevailing over regulations of workmen’s compensation insurer
Section 13Violations of regulations or orders
Section 14Annual reports of commissioner
Section 15Inspection districts; assignment of inspectors
Section 16Receipt of gift by inspector
Section 17Entry of places of employment for examinations and investigations; access to records
Section 18Duties of industrial health inspectors relative to minors
Section 18ASanitary and safety conditions; tools
Section 18BConfined spaces; ventilation
Section 18CPower transmission equipment
Section 18DRopes, hooks and cranes; use and operation
Section 18ESafety precautions in dangerous undertakings
Section 18FExplosives
Section 18GIndustrial truck and internal combustion equipment; operation; construction of docks
Section 18HStop signals
Section 18IPenalty
Section 19Prevention of employment
Section 19ACopy of medical report for employee
Section 19BLie detector tests; use as condition of employment; penalty; civil action
Section 19CEmployment of aliens restricted; regulations; penalty
Section 20Coercion of agreement not to join a labor organization
Section 20ARelief afforded by contract relative to membership in a labor or employer organization
Section 20BLiability for unlawful acts of officers, members or agents of an organization
Section 20CDefinitions
Section 20DSolicitation, acceptance or payment of money to encourage or discourage formation or functioning of a labor organization
Section 20EBusiness combination transactions; labor contracts; definitions; remedies
Section 21False notices or advertisement for help or employment
Section 22Advertising for or soliciting employees during labor troubles; notice to employment agency; employment of children
Section 22AProfessional strikebreakers; obstruction of picketing
Section 23Filling place of employees; size of letters mentioning labor troubles; penalty
Section 23AArmed guards during labor troubles; qualifications; violation of statute
Section 23BUse of civil defense personnel in labor disputes
Section 24Communications and conduct during labor disputes
Section 24ADismissal or refusal to employ; penalty
Section 24BContract provisions
Section 24CInvestigation of complaints; ascertainment of age of employees; examination and transcript of records
Section 24DRecords of ages of employees; copy furnished to commissioner; violation of statute
Section 24EHindering investigation; refusal of information
Section 24FDischarge of employee for furnishing evidence or testifying
Section 24GPublication of name of employer; summons to show cause; liability for damages
Section 24HAppeal from decision of commissioner
Section 24IFarm labor
Section 24JPartial invalidity
Section 24KRepealed, 1983, 533, Sec. 1
Section 25Lodging, board and trade of public employees; statute part of employment contract
Section 26Public works; preference to veterans and citizens; wages
Section 27List of jobs; classification; schedule of wages; penalty; civil action
Section 27AAppeals from classifications and wage determinations
Section 27BRecords of employees; payroll records; statements of compliance
Section 27CPenalties for violations of certain sections by employers, contractors, subcontractors or their employees
Section 27D“Construction” and “constructed” defined
Section 27EEmployment of residents in highway districts
Section 27FWages of operators of rented equipment; agreements; penalty; civil action
Section 27GWages of employees of moving contractors; contracts; injunctive relief; damages
Section 27HWages of employees of maintenance or cleaning contractors; contracts; civil action
Section 28Right of action against city or town for labor; filing statement; fee; limitations
Section 29Bonds for payment for labor, materials, rentals or transportation charges; enforcement of claim; notice of claim; speedy trial, appeal, consolidation; dismissal; legal fees; posting statute
Section 29AEnforcement of surety bonds by persons furnishing labor or materials on private building projects
Section 29BWaiver or cancellation of payment bond
Section 29CIndemnification as part of contract
Section 29DSurety company; bonds
Section 29EConstruction contracts; reasonable time periods for periodic progress payments and increases in contract price; payment conditioned upon receipt of payment from third party; requirement to continue performance of construction without payment
Section 30Eight hour day and six day week; emergencies; work on highways
Section 30ATours of duty and hours of work of state employees; regulations
Section 30BOvertime of state employees; regulations
Section 30CWork week of uniformed members of state police; overtime service; compensation; rules and regulations
Section 31Eight hour day for towns and public works for towns; emergencies; acceptance of statute relating to employees of commonwealth
Section 32Scope of words “laborers, workmen and mechanics” and “requiring”
Section 33Hours of labor to make up Saturday half holiday
Section 33AFive day and forty hour week for cities and towns; emergencies; overtime; reduction of compensation
Section 33BFive day week and eight hour day for cities and towns; overtime; reduction of compensation
Section 33CCity and town employees; overtime; effective date
Section 33DBlood donations; leave of absence without loss of pay
Section 33ELeave of absence to serve as organ donor; state, county and certain municipal employees
Section 34Public contracts; stipulation as to hours and days of work; void contracts
Section 34AContracts for public works; workers’ compensation insurance; breach of contract; enforcement and violation of statute
Section 34BContracts for public works; wages for reserve police officer
Section 34CApplication of Secs. 30, 34 and 35
Section 35Violation of Sec. 30, 31 or 34
Section 36Nonapplicability of eight hour day and six day week statutes
Section 37Nine hour day for towns
Section 38Annual vacation for employees of commonwealth
Section 39Hours of labor in institutions; employees with less hours under other statutes; emergencies
Section 40Repealed, 1954, 632, Sec. 2
Section 41Saturday half holiday for commonwealth
Section 42Work by employees of commonwealth on day work basis
Section 43Nondiscrimination
Section 44Service by veterans on Memorial Day
Section 441/2Termination of employment for veterans following return from overseas duty
Section 44ADefinitions; competitive bids; award; bonds; extreme emergency situations; records contracts not subjected to competitive bid process
Section 44A1/2Fair competition for bidders on construction
Section 44BPlans and specifications; bid deposits
Section 44CSuspension or debarment of contractors
Section 44DSubmission of bid or offer; application for certification
Section 44D1/2General contractor bids; prequalification procedures
Section 44D3/4Subcontractor sub-bids; prequalification procedures
Section 44EFiling of bids; forms; modular buildings
Section 44E1/2Renovation and repair of state house and historic Suffolk County courthouse; solicitation of bids; evaluation of bids; contract award; payment and performance bonds
Section 44FPlans and specifications; sub-bids; form; contents
Section 44GAllowances; alternates; weather protection devices
Section 44HEnforcement
Section 44ISeverability
Section 44JInvitations to bid; notice; contents; violations; penalty
Section 44K, 44LRepealed, 1980, 579, Sec. 55
Section 44MEnergy systems; life-cycle cost estimates
Section 45Work on holidays
Section 46Work for time lost by holidays
Section 47Sunday work without a day off
Section 48One day of rest in seven; operation of business on Sunday; violations
Section 49Establishments not subject to Sunday work and rest days; railroads or railways
Section 50Work not subject to Sunday work and rest days
Section 50AOne day of rest in seven for watchmen and employees maintaining fires, violations
Section 51Posting list of employees working on Sunday; work on days of rest
Section 51AExemption for special circumstances; days of rest and Sunday business
Section 51BRepealed, 1985, 572, Sec. 6
Section 52Time books; violation of statute
Section 52AReady reserve; absence from work for military training; non-compliance
Section 52A1/2Veterans; participation in Veterans or Memorial Day exercise; leave of absence granted; exceptions
Section 52BEmployment applications; volunteer work as experience
Section 52CPersonnel records; review by employee; corrections; penalty
Section 52DFamily and medical leave; enforcement
Section 53, 53ARepealed, 1980, 131, Sec. 2
Section 54Core rooms where workers employed; investigations; regulations; violations
Section 55Repealed, 1974, 345
Section 56Hours of work; posting notices; making up time lost by stoppage of machinery; employment by shifts; minors employed on farms
Section 57Employment in violation of statute
Section 58Elevator operators
Section 59Repealed, 1974, 371, Sec. 1
Section 60Children under sixteen in general; school hours; night work; plays or musical comedies; fashion shows; hospitals
Section 61Minors under sixteen; particular employments
Section 62Minors under eighteen
Section 62AEmployment of vocational agricultural students
Section 63Dangerous or injurious employment of minors; hearing and determination
Section 64Employment of minors where liquor sold; taking or sending minors to immoral places
Section 65Hours and days of, and time for, work of minors under sixteen; time in continuation school or courses of instruction
Section 66Time of work for children; exceptions
Section 67Days and hours of work for boys or girls under eighteen
Section 68Time for work of minor messengers
Section 69Children as newspaper vendors; restrictions; penalty
Section 70Minors under sixteen as vendors and bootblacks, scavengers or other trade in street or public places; charge for badge for employment
Section 71Issuance of badges to minors; proof of age; grounds for refusal to issue
Section 72Badges; wearing; transfer; exhibition; regulations for issuing
Section 73Time for work of minors under sixteen engaged as vendors, bootblacks, scavengers or in any other trade in streets or public places
Section 74Posting of notice of hours of work of minor; employment at other times; changing terms
Section 75Forms of notice furnished by attorney general
Section 76Inspectors; duties; prosecutions
Section 77Enforcement of statutes; supervisors of attendance; appointment; powers
Section 78Employment of, and permitting work by, minors contrary to statutes; reports of violations
Section 78AWritten warnings and civil citations; appeal; penalties; criminal complaint
Section 79Hindering inspectors, supervisors of attendance or department representatives; refusal of admittance or to give information
Section 80Furnishing minors with articles for sale in, and encouragement of, violation of statutes
Section 81Compelling or permitting minor to work in violation of statute; certification of false statement
Section 82Violation of statutes by persons issuing badges or enforcing statutes
Section 83Violation of statutes by minors; revocation of badge; refusal to surrender; working after revocation
Section 84Service of summons or warrants
Section 85Nonapplicability of statutes
Section 86Employment of children with permit; particular employments; filing, accessibility and return of, and failure to return, permit; list of employed children
Section 87Employment permits in general; approval; return of evidence of age; certificate by town clerk; notice of child’s violation of statute
Section 88School record for employment permit; educational qualification; necessary school attendance
Section 89Employment permits; contents; signatures; fee; duplicate; records; papers furnished by department; explanatory matter
Section 90Violation of statute; forged evidence of age or birth; certification of false statements in, and alteration of, permit
Section 91Cessation of employment for non-attendance of continuation school; violation of statute
Section 92Visiting to ascertain employment of children; reporting illegal employment; complaint; violation of statute
Section 93Employment contrary to statute; taking minor to school; reporting evidence to court or justice; complaint; violation of statute
Section 94Employment permits, educational certificates and lists of employed minors produced for inspection; evidence of illegal employment
Section 95Minors 16 years or older who have not completed requirements for sixth grade; attendance at school
Section 95AEducational certificates; exceptions
Section 96Manual training and industrial education; effect of statutes
Section 97, 98Repealed, 2006, 426, Sec. 17
Section 99Repealed, 1974, 372, Sec. 1
Section 100Hours of work without interval for meal; duration; violation of statute
Section 101Nonapplicability of statute relating to mealtimes and intervals for meals
Section 102Labor during mealtime without knowledge of employer
Section 103Seats for employees; violation of statute
Section 104Children participants in public exhibitions; violation of statute
Section 104ARepealed, 1982, 364, Sec. 1
Section 105License for theatrical exhibitions or shows in which children are employed
Section 105ADiscrimination forbidden; damages; actions in general; assignment of claim; limitations
Section 105BViolation of statutes; discharge or discrimination because of complaint, proceedings or testimony
Section 105CEntry of premises, and investigation to determine compliance with statute
Section 105DEntitlement of female employees; rights and benefits
Section 106Drinking water; violation of statute; coverage of term “industrial establishments”
Section 107Water for humidifying purposes; violation of statute
Section 108Thermometers for humidity and temperature; regulations; place; reading; record
Section 109Nonapplicability of statute relating to thermometers; hygrometers; psychrometers; records
Section 110Relative humidity limits
Section 111Sources of water for humidifying purposes; clean air ducts
Section 112Failure to comply with statutes after request
Section 113Light, ventilation, cleanliness, sanitation and heat in establishments
Section 114Investigations and suggestions relative to eyes and vision
Section 115Devices and means to prevent injury to eyes; order; compliance; violation of statute
Section 116Investigations as to light; notice to change; failure to comply with order
Section 117Ventilation
Section 118Means to diminish inhalation of dust
Section 119Hoods or hoppers and suction pipes for emery or buffing wheels or belts
Section 120Form and place of hoods or hoppers; size and speed of blowers; approval by attorney general
Section 121Nonapplicability of statutes relating to emery and buffing machinery
Section 122Violation of statutes relating to ventilation, dust and emery and buffing machinery
Section 123Inspections relative to apparatus for emery and buffing machinery; complaint; prosecution
Section 124Communication between engineer’s room and machinery room
Section 125Violation of statute relating to communication
Section 126Fastening doors during business hours; violation of statute
Section 127Guards for, and cleaning of, machinery; disconnection and removal of safety devices
Section 128Traversing carriage of a self-acting mule traveling close to fixed structure
Section 129Safeguards for hoistways, hatchways and well holes; closing trapdoors
Section 129AShoring trenches for local governments; graves excepted
Section 129BStilts; penalty for requiring or knowingly permitting use in construction
Section 129CInstallation or repair of live electric wires or electrical equipment; assistance; safety equipment; penalty
Section 129DRiding in man-basket carried by hoisting machinery for bungee jumping or other safety approved activity
Section 130Explosives or inflammable materials; storage and use near egress
Section 131Guards for loom shuttles; violation of statute
Section 132Suction shuttles; shuttle or thread touching lips; violation of statute
Section 133Water closets, toilets and washing facilities; regulations; definitions of “industrial establishments” and “railroad establishments”
Section 134Necessary changes; action for proportion of expense
Section 135Prosecutions; necessity of neglect to make changes; notice; liability of corporate officer
Section 136Violation of public health laws; notice to town board of health; enforcement
Section 137Foundry toilet rooms and water closets; failure to comply with statute
Section 138Injuring toilet appliances
Section 139Lockers and clothes receptacles of employees; violation of statute
Section 140Repealed, 1953, 57
Section 141Medical and surgical chests; accommodations for treatment of injured or ill persons; facilities for heating food; violation of statute
Section 141ALifting heavy objects in textile factories
Section 142Sanitary material for cleaning printing presses
Section 142AMarked receptacles for substances hazardous to health
Section 142BMarked receptacles for materials containing substances hazardous to health
Section 142CMarkings; clear and conspicuous; size; place
Section 142DReceptacles exempt from marking requirements
Section 142EReports concerning material hazardous to health
Section 142FViolation of statutes and regulations; failure to mark receptacles; removal or defacement of marks
Section 142GEnforcement of statutes and regulations
Section 143Definitions
Section 143AProtection from undue competition and of health and well-being of workers
Section 144Unlawful industrial homework
Section 145Investigation of industries; order declaring industrial homework unlawful
Section 146Hearing preceding order; notice; place; effective date of order
Section 146ADistribution of materials and articles; necessity of place of employment in commonwealth
Section 147Employer’s permit; person to whom materials or articles may be delivered; effect of strike; payment of fees into treasury
Section 147AHomeworker’s certificate; place of work; work performed by others; qualifications of applicant and home; strike against employer
Section 147BEmployer’s name and address affixed to articles or container of goods delivered for homework
Section 147CWork in violation of statutes; removal, retention and disposition of articles; notice
Section 147DRecord of homeworkers and work
Section 147ERegulations; violations; inspections and investigations
Section 147FAttendance of witnesses and production of books and papers; summons and court order; fees; oaths; depositions
Section 147GAdditional penalties
Section 147HEducational and philanthropic organizations; homework performed under supervision of commission for the blind
Section 148Payment of wages; commissions; exemption by contract; persons deemed employers; provision for cashing check or draft; violation of statute
Section 148AEmployees seeking rights under provisions of this chapter; discharge or discrimination; punishment
Section 148BPersons performing service not authorized under this chapter deemed employees; exception
Section 149Summons and warrant for violations of Sec. 148
Section 150Complaint for violation of certain sections; defenses; payment after complaint; assignments; loan of wages to employer; civil action
Section 150ANotification of deductions
Section 150BFees or assessments other than those chargeable under union constitution and by-laws
Section 150CImproper expenditure of withholdings or deductions from wages; penalties
Section 151Payment on pay day before close of working hours
Section 152Deductions for coming late to work
Section 152AService charges and tips; tip pools; penalties
Section 153Grading work of weavers; imperfections affecting wages; conditions precedent to fines
Section 154Employer’s fine upon weaver for imperfections; violations of statutes
Section 155Specifications as to work and wages for weavers, frame tenders, warpers, web drawers and operatives paid by the pound
Section 156Specifications and tickets; posting and attaching; contents; pick clocks; excess of maximum lengths; violation of statute
Section 157Violation of Sec. 155; interference with inspectors
Section 157AEmployees paid by piece; tickets stating basis of remuneration; posting statement of amount of pay earned
Section 158Stopped machinery; deductions from wages; making up lost time; penalty
Section 158AWork without compensation
Section 159Discharge of employee without notice
Section 159ARepealed, 2004, 125, Sec. 14
Section 159BReimbursement of expenses for medical examinations
Section 159CStaffing agencies; notice of information concerning employee's assignment; fees prohibited; transportation services; prohibited activities by staffing
Section 160Establishment and maintenance; annual reports
Section 161Superintendents and clerks; appointment; sign indicating location of office
Section 162Superintendents; duties; applications; registration; aliens; agriculture labor; strikes
Section 163Fees; violation
Section 164Preference to residents
Section 165Reports exchanged among offices, supplied to public, posted
Section 166Payment of salaries and expenses; appropriation
Section 167Bulletins for town clerks showing demand for employment
Section 168Posting bulletins; failure to comply
Section 168AFarm labor contracts; notice to department
Section 169 to 172Repealed, 1981, 351, Sec. 250
Section 173Destruction or sale of records and papers
Section 174Repealed, 1929, 357, Sec. 2
Section 175Bells, whistles and gongs
Section 176Non-resident as special police officer
Section 177Police assistance in protecting property; non-residents assisting with arms; liability in damages
Section 177AContract exempting employer from liability to employee
Section 177BVolunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians; responding to emergencies; discharge from other employment
Section 178Leave of absence from work for voting
Section 178APayment of wages of intestate employee; officer or employee of commonwealth or subdivision
Section 178BDeductions from salary for certain financial institutions; credit union bonds; withdrawal of authorization by employee; attachment or execution; pension money paid to credit unions; authorization
Section 178CSum owed estate of officer or employee of political subdivisions paid to husband, widow or next of kin
Section 178DRepealed, 1973, 1078, Sec. 1
Section 178EGroup insurance; disposition of dividends
Section 178F to 178NRepealed, 1973, 1078, Sec. 1
Section 178OGroup insurance termination; notice of date to employee
Section 179Placards posted to inform employees
Section 179APreference to citizens in awarding public work contracts; violations
Section 179BNotice to commissioner of commencement or change of location of business; violations
Section 179CCollective bargaining agreements; successor clauses
Section 180Violation of chapter provisions with no specific penalty
Section 180AViolation of closing laws
Section 181Retirement or health and welfare funds; failure of employer to make payments
Section 182Standards of corporate behavior; companies financed with assistance of quasi-public agencies
Section 183Severance pay upon termination following transfer of control of employer; definitions
Section 184Severance pay following transfer of control or attempted transfer of control of registered corporation; definitions
Section 185Retaliation against employees reporting violations of law or risks to public health, safety or environment; remedies
Section 186Broadcasting industry; noncompete agreements
Section 187Health care providers; protection from retaliatory action by health care facilities
Section 188Fair share employer contribution