Welcome to Building Trades Employers Association of New York’s (BTEA New York) monthly Safety Brief, your virtual briefcase of important safety news and updates. This digital publication contains highlights from BTEA New York’s Construction Safety Committee meetings with New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) representatives. | |
On July 20, 2022, BTEA New York's Construction Safety Committee virtually held its monthly safety meeting. Below are important highlights from the agenda. | | |
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June Incident Report
- In June, there were 52 total incidents, resulting in 52 injuries, the highest month of the year. These included 1 excavation accident, 3 material falls, and 21 worker falls. The latter included 6 falls from ladders, 3 scaffolding falls, and various trips and falls on worksites and sidewalk sheds.
- Several tool incidents, including a worker with a hand caught in a pipe threader.
- High on the list of incidents involve moving materials within sites (a-frame carts moving sheetrock, for example). These accidents are consistent month-to-month. We must emphasize safety precautions related to moving equipment and materials on site.
- No fatalities in June.
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COVID-19 Complaints, Stop Work Orders & Summons Report--June 2022
In June, Construction Safety Enforcement issued 203 partial stop work orders and 93 full stop work orders, a low month for stop work orders, under 300. Agency-wide (excluding CSE), the NYC DOB issued a total of 423 stop work orders, including 200 partials.
- Stop work order reinspection requests numbers for June were on the high side, at 754 Response time averaged under 3 days. Of the 754, 22 percent failed the reinspection, 22 percent were issued a partial rescind, and 56 percent passed – one of the highest pass rates of the year.
- Violation numbers for June were low. Under Local Law 196, the DOB issued 4 violations – 3 for inadequate training; 1 for improper log keeping.
- Reminder: Safety Week Presentation is July 29 – In person for the first time in 2 years. The presentation will cover safety issues and changes in the safety code.
- New rule on construction super and site safety manager licenses takes effect on August 15, 2022. The rule allows individuals to carry both licenses but only use one at a time. Updates on the filing process will appear in the Building News web page. BTEA applauded the DOB on the measure, which will alleviate problems and give contractors, managers, and supers much-needed flexibility.
- The summer heat wave. Record-breaking temperatures create hazardous conditions—a reminder to talk to site managers about taking all appropriate precautions.
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Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA)
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OSHA emphasized heat safety during the extreme run of high temperatures this summer. For years, the mantra has been water/rest/shade – that's not enough. Inspectors looking at quality control should check for safety and that workers are doing well. Managers and workers need to be trained on the signs and symptoms of heat illness and prevention. Encourage workers to look out for one another.
75 percent of fatalities happen within a worker's first week, many with the first 1-2 days. Make sure new workers are acclimated gradually.
Doing all the right things to identify heat symptoms and remove workers from the site can still end in tragedy if the worker is left alone. Keep someone with the worker to monitor if heat illness worsens. More on heat hazards here.
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Safe + Sound Week, August 15 – 21, 2022 - a nationwide annual event held that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America's workers safe. Register.
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Labor Rights Week, August 29, 2022 - dedicated to at-risk workers, undocumented workers, and others, ensuring they are aware of their rights. More information here.
Also:
- The Department of Labor announced an enhanced excavation program, which will mean more OSHA personnel showing up at excavation sites for a safety inspection. The program comes at a time when site fatalities are sharply on the rise - 22 deaths in the first six months of 2022 compared to 15 total for 2021.
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OSHA encourages all participants to investigate its Volunteer Protection Programs – mobile workforce programs that enhance worksite safety. Participants are exempt from program OSHA inspections.
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Carlos Law
Carlos Law remains pending the Governor's signature to become law. In the meantime, BTEA met with the Governor to discuss contractor liability and setting a ceiling for monetary penalties or increasing flexibility for judges and juries to set a lower amount. Secondly, we're hoping to raise the evidence bar for prosecutors looking to apply Carlos Law.
GC/Subcontractor Registration
Also awaiting the Governor's signature, A1338C / S5994C establishes a registration system for general contractors and subcontractors engaged in public works. We've asked the Governor to veto the legislation arguing that it is duplicative, and are awaiting a response.
View more legislative news here.
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This report was provided by BTEA New York’s President and CEO, Louis J. Coletti. | |
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Building Trades Employers Association of New York is the construction contractor's unified advocate for construction safety standards, professional development, government affairs, public relations and fostering communication between public officials, public and private owners, labor and the general public. Realizing that a construction industry is essential to the vibrant future of New York City its activities are dedicated to a building environment meeting the highest of environmental standards, integrity, cost efficiency, productivity and value that contributes to improving the quality of life in New York City. BTEA represents 26 Construction Manager, General Contractor, Subcontractor and Specialty Trade contractor associations with over 1,200 individual contractor members.
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