New York Construction Accidents

Construction firms in New York are ripe with corruption, and these illegal practices are causing accidents across the city. A quick survey of New York contractors revealed that 80%, at one time or another, cut corners to save on costs resulting in unsafe conditions for workers and civilians. One contractor who asked not to be identified said few builders wouldn’t cut corners to save money. He noted that even firms with long, reputable histories will suddenly skimp on costs to save money as the economic downturn worsens.

The offenses begin at the very top with one New York official charged with teaching a 30 hour class on site safety admitting that he helped unqualified people get into his union, according to sworn testimony and investigative reports. He, and other officials, aided these men in obtaining licenses to operate heavy equipment across the city. The recent investigation of a New York crane collapse also brought safety to the forefront as last August two crane inspectors were charged with criminal negligence, including the chief of the unit, and faced criminal charges. The commissioner, as well, was ousted.

This comes in light of several major construction accidents in New York which have taken the lives of dozens of New Yorkers. For the past three years, the summertime headlines in the city have been filled with news of deadly accidents. Rarely does a week go by without mention of a crane collapse, and New Yorkers are growing wary. On Tuesday, at a Build Safe New York conference, Robert D. LiMandri announced a 41-point plan to overhaul how “high-risk construction” is regulated and carried out in New York City. The review included 700 hundred changes to current operating procedures with the intended goal of making New York City construction accidents a thing of the past.

If you or your loved one has suffered because of a construction accident, please let us know.

New York Department of Transporation makes it very clear about when you should report a construction accident. In their accident reporting document, they list when it’s required and also what type of incidents should be notified.

IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION is required when:

1. Any injuries to NYSDOT Employees.
2. All accidents involving state-owned vehicles and private vehicles used on State business.
3. Any fatal or hospital transportation to consultant or contractor employee directly related to construction activity.
4. Traffic accidents resulting in fatal or multiple (3 or more) personal injuries, if directly related to construction activity or Work Zone Traffic Control.
5. Any utility incidents
6. Any accident resulting in media attention.

As soon as possible notification when:

1. Any traffic accident involving Work Zone Traffic Control, but not resulting in fatal or multiple (3 or more) personal injuries.
2. Any traffic accident within the contract limits resulting in fatality or personal injury, but not related to construction activity or within limits of active workzone.
3. Any construction related accident resulting in minor worker injury or damage to private property.
4. Any near miss accident.

Immediate notification is not required for incidents not categorized as immediate or as-soon-as-possible notification/reporting as listed above.  Incidents not meeting the above criteria need not be reported to the Office of Construction, but EIC’s are to make a note of any such incidents, in the event that adjustments to Work Zone Traffic Control or contractors operations are needed.