For Immediate Release
November 20, 2007

BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT RELEASES ANNUAL SAFETY REPORT CARD

Construction-Related Fatalities Decreased 43% and Scaffold-Related Accidents Decreased 83%

Buildings Commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster, FAIA, today announced overall construction-related fatalities significantly decreased during the past year as construction activity throughout the five boroughs continued at a sustained pace. The Buildings Department released this number as part of its annually-published Safety Report Card, which provides a citywide overview of construction accident, injury and fatality data. The Buildings Department collects and analyzes the data to identify trends and steps to improve construction safety. The Safety Report Card will be formally delivered to the industry today at the 2007 Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA) Safety Conference.

Between January 1 and October 31 of Calendar Year 2007, 3.5% more new building and alteration permits had been issued as compared to the same period of time in 2006. During this period:

• Construction-related fatalities decreased 43%, from 14 to 8
• Construction-related injuries stayed relatively constant, from 105 to 104
• Accidents on high-rise construction sites increased, from 23 to 42
• Accidents on low-rise construction sites decreased, from 66 to 51

“Today's numbers demonstrate that the proactive safety and enforcement initiatives implemented during the last year are building momentum and having a positive effect on construction safety,” said Commissioner Lancaster. “As the pace of construction activity remains steady throughout the next year, we are calling on contractors, construction managers and workers to join us in continuing to raise the professional level of care in upholding safety regulations on job sites of all sizes - before accidents happen.”

The decrease in construction-related fatalities can be attributed in part to new safety and enforcement initiatives implemented by the Buildings Department during the past year to raise the bar for construction standards citywide. For example, the new Scaffold Safety Team has performed 1,356 proactive inspections and issued 425 violations and 340 Stop Work Orders in 2007. The Team is charged with proactively inspecting buildings and construction sites with suspended scaffolds to demand safe and compliant practices. With the dedication of the Suspended Scaffold Worker Safety Task Force and the commitment of the construction industry, scaffold-related fatalities and injuries declined by 83% and 35% this year, respectively.

While the Safety Report Card indicates a downward trend in overall construction-related fatalities and injuries, the number of accidents on high-rise sites has increased by 83%, from 23 to 42. Part of this increase is attributed to accidents involving construction material falling off high-rise buildings under construction, which happened more often during concrete operations, the stage during which concrete is poured to erect a building's walls and floors. The ratio of concrete operations causing material to fall from high-rise construction sites increased to 68% in 2007, causing 23 of the 34 emergencies of this type. Material falling off buildings under construction also comprised 33% of accidents on low-rise sites, even as the overall number of accidents on low-rise sites decreased. These trends and others will be discussed at the BTEA's Safety Conference today.

Since 2002, the Buildings Department has worked aggressively to streamline its processes, improve transparency, and infuse integrity and accountability into its daily operations. From putting its Buildings Information System (BIS) on the Internet, to providing uniforms for inspectorial staff and field responders and making most contents of job folders available on its website, the Buildings Department is committed to improving access to services it provides to the public. Building on this progress, the release of the Safety Report Card provides an annual update on safety trends and areas for improvement so the Department can focus its resources accordingly.

New Yorkers are encouraged to call 3-1-1 to report non-compliant conditions or 9-1-1 to report emergencies at construction sites.

Contact: Kate Lindquist/Caroline Sullivan (212) 566-3473

The New York City Department of Buildings ensures the safe and lawful use of buildings and properties by enforcing the Building Code and Zoning Resolution. We facilitate development with integrity, efficiency and professionalism.