Amid the construction boom experienced by New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio and DOB Commissioner Rick Chandler announced higher penalties for construction safety lapses that will endanger the lives of contractors, building owners and the general public. They are also set out to send more than 1,500 enforcement sweeps to ensure everyone’s safety before, during and after construction.

To ensure that builders ensure that safety rules are being adhered to, the city will raise the penalty for serious safety lapses from $2,400 to $10,000 and from $5,000 to a high of $25,000 if your construction lacks a construction superintendent. There has been a 300% rise in construction from 2009 and as such it has led not only to a rise in construction jobs and housing in New York but as well as an increase in preventable injuries and fatalities that are construction related.

The good mayor noted that no building is worth someone’s life and as such the city has a responsibility to ensure the safety of the men and women building New York. While DOB commissioner Chandler assures the public that the department will not tolerate contractors who cut corners and increase the risks in construction irresponsibly. He also noted that a lot of accident that happen on site can usually be prevented if only existing safety rules were properly adhered to.

DOB’s Expanded Safety Campaign:

• Penalties for “Failure to safeguard all persons and property affected by construction operations are increased as follows:
  • Class 1: $2,400 to $10,000
  • Class 2: $1,200 to $5,000
  • DOB to pursue license suspensions/revocations for those who engage in unsafe construction practices
  • These new figures go into effect in 90 days

• 1,500 site sweep of high-risk projects and those with problematic contractors in 90-days
  • Contractors with multiple stop work orders/serious violations for buildings 10 stories and below
    • 1,000 or more sites are to be swept within this category
  • Buildings over 15 stores high
    • More than 500 buildings are within this category
  • In order to enhance reach, personnel agency wide will be asked to participate

• High risk jobs 10 stories or below will require construction superintendents
  • 2015 stats show that 70% of accidents occur at these construction site
  • The new DOB rule will take into effect in July
  • A window will be given to contractors to give them time to comply afterwards compliance is mandatory and failure to do so will result in stop-work orders, penalties ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 for repeated violations
  • Superintendents are now required for major alterations, partial demolitions and high-risks projects in addition to new constructions and full demolitions

• DOB is set to hire at least 100 new enforcement inspectors come summer to ensure full enforcement of the said changes