Increase in Construction Worker Deaths Continues in New York State

Safety-wise , in New York State, 2017 was not as great a year as those working within the field of construction expected, as stated in the Annual Report for 2017, just released from the New York Committee on Occupational Safety & Health. However, in New York City the situation was slightly more positive.

All across the country in the state, 69 construction workers were killed in the year 2017. Twenty of them were from New York City. Both figures were slightly lower from last year's 71 (statewide) or 21 (in the City). The slight drop in the state didn't stop the increasing number of fatalities in the last five years, with the increase was 39 percent all-around. For New York City, fatalities have dropped by 23 percent. In the moment of writing, the year 2019 remains safe from fatalities as of the latest death taking place in November 2018, in which a worker was smashed by a forklift at the Brooklyn construction site as per the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). Following an investigation the department issued an infraction notice to the general contractor over a lack of security at the construction site. They also issued a complete stop-work orderthat effectively shuts the site down until extensive investigation by the DOB as well as the federal officials at OSHA are completed.

Although the death toll in the city declined slightly over the last few years, the number of non-fatal construction-related accidents saw a dramatic leap in the year 2018. As per the DOB seven61 workers in the construction industry were hurt in the last year. This is a 13 percent rise from the 671 injuries that the DOB reported in 2017, making the total of injuries for 2018 higher than any other year in the post-recession boom in construction.

Delay in Safety Training Requirements

The DOB announced in the beginning of November that it had extended the deadline for Local Law 1926 which was an amendement to the city's building code that was passed in October of 2017. It also requires OSHA-approved construction supervisor and worker safety education. At first, all workers and supervisors were required take a course of additional safety rules on or before December 1st in 2018. However, the department extended the deadline until June 1, 2019 for supervisors. The new deadline doesn't affect the training requirements for employees. The deadline is not a change from the initial requirement to finish an additional 10 hours (for 40 total instruction hours when they are added to their current 30 hours OSHA education course) on September. 1st 2020.

The DOB provided no explanation why it delayed its announcement. It is acknowledged by the entire industry that the city has admitted that the number of instruction providers is tiny to meet the surge in demand. Instead of imposing fines or penalties that would have forced the closure of many job sites, DOB officials decided to extend the deadline for supervisors.

Because building is among the most dangerous types of work according to the U.S. Department of Labor or your family member might be seriously injured at an industrial site. Are you in debt for more than the new york workers' compensation lawyer will pay? Find out by contacting NY Workers Law anytime by calling the office closest to you or using this website to request a free assessment of your case.