DOB Issues More than 1,000 Smoking
Violations The Department of Buildings has issued more than
1,000 violations for illegal smoking at construction sites throughout the City.
The new citywide enforcement initiative began last September as another way to
improve safety on construction sites and prevent hazardous conditions.
As of September 17, the Department’s various construction units
have issued a total of 1,009 ECB violations to contractors for failing to post
no-smoking signs, evidence of smoking refuse and workers smoking. The members of
the Buildings Enforcement Safety Team (BEST) issued 417 smoking violations in
the past year, the most of any DOB unit.
The most violations were issued in Manhattan with 475, followed
by Brooklyn with 261, Queens with 158, the Bronx with 84 and Staten Island with
31. As a result, more than $2 million in penalties has been imposed. In June
2009, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg signed two laws that prohibit smoking on
construction sites and prohibit tobacco, lighters, and matches at asbestos
abatement work sites.
These laws stem from the 33
recommendations of the Working Group convened by Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler
to increase safety at construction, demolition and abatement sites following the
tragic fire at 130 Liberty St. in Manhattan. A discarded cigarette ignited the
August 2007 fire that led to the death of two New York City
firefighters.
The Buildings Department is committed to making New York City construction safer. Thanks to the support from Mayor Bloomberg and City Council, we’re using new tools and resources to minimize construction’s inherent dangers.
To learn more about Department initiatives, read our recent press releases and service notices. You may also sign up for Building News for regular Buildings Department updates. Also, please see our helpful brochures: