Massachusetts Steam Engineering Paper Chief

In this day and age it is unacceptable to allow someone to prostitute their license. Years ago
there were more jobs than there were licenses. Now there are not many jobs due to
manufacturers leaving the U.S., a poor economy and the increased trend of low pressure
systems. We have roughly 5,000 licensed operators with far less jobs than that number.

So called "paper chiefs" are ruining the trade by reducing the number of good jobs and allowing
a company to undermine the M.G.L. Chapter 146 laws. Once a company has a paper chief they
usually never hire for a full time engineer again unless they are mandated by the Department of
Public Safety.

Do you work for a "paper chief" and allow this? If so than you are in fact contributing to the lack
of jobs and respect of stationary firemen & engineers.

We have all heard the horror stories associated with plants that have steam engineers sign the
book, "like my chief never answers when there is a problem, I only see my chief once a week, I
do not know who my chief engineer is, my supervisor is actually a second class fireman or a
maintenance mechanic rather then the chief engineer, etc."

This is wrong and can not be tolerated within our industry and not only is it wrong, it is illegal.
Our laws are being weakened as we speak by big business and politicians. Please help our
industry and do not condone or contribute to the weakening of our license laws.

How can someone be competent and trustworthy if he or she is breaking the laws which we are
fighting so hard to keep?

If you know of any company or individual that has or is a "paper chief" please contact us by
filling out the form below. You do not have to give any personal information, it will be strictly
anonymous. We will forward this information to the D.P.S. Engineering Division to investigate.

Please do not be confused about the definition of paper chief versus a part time chief. A paper
chief is usually in the plant less than a few hours a week whereas a part time chief is in on a daily
basis, is responsible twenty four hours a day, offers guidance and written instruction to his or
her operators.

Signing the Book - Another term
for a Chief Engineer who's sole
function performed is the
Signing of the engineers daily
log which is usually done once
a week or month.

Paper Chief - An old term used
where Engineers post their
licenses to satisfy the
requirements of M.G.L. Chapter
146 Section 46, are rarely at the
plant and offer no guidance to
the company or their operators
who work under their licenses.

We cannot allow our profession to be reduced in stature and strength.
People and industry will view us a we present ourselves.
We are licensed professionals and must act as such.
"Preserve and Protect our Laws"