Map Shows NYC Sites where Construction Safety Training Is Needed

New York City’s Department of Buildings has launched a new tool to help construction workers identify sites that are subject to mandatory OSHA Site Safety Training (SST). Local Law 196 of 2017 states that supervisors and laborers must have completed this additional safety training when working on certain large-scale projects. To give everyone a resource to check if the extra measures are necessary, the DOB has created an interactive map that allows users to determine a given site’s status in just a few seconds.

Approximately 8,000 construction sites across the five boroughs are depicted on the map, which is updated daily. Users can enter an address to check on a project’s status or zoom in to the location marked by a dot on the map to find the job number, type, community district and permit expiration date. Everyone who has a connection to the New York construction industry should understand the significance of map and be aware of:

• Training standards — If a construction or demolition location is listed on the map, workers must have at least 10 hours of safety training and will be required to have at least 30 hours of training by December 1, 2019. By December 1, 2020, the date the law becomes fully implemented, they will need 40 hours.
• Sites affected — SST plans must be submitted for the construction, enlargement or demolition of a major building. New York City defines a major building as a structure standing at least 10 stories or 125 feet high or having a footprint of 100,000 square feet or more. Other major building projects, including alterations and maintenance work, may also qualify. In addition, the DOB may require a safety plan for structures that aren’t major buildings.
• Other resources — The DOB website has several pages of information regarding SST, including a list of approved courses divided into separate sections for construction workers, supervisors and employers. Taking advantage of these resources can help to eliminate potential legal violations and preventable injuries.

If you or a loved one has been hurt on a construction site, it’s important to know that injury victims might be able to a financial recovery beyond workers’ compensation if safety guidelines, such as the SST requirements, were violated.

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