"The first bill before me is Introductory Number 597-A, sponsored by Council Members Provenzano, Brewer, Comrie, Stewart, Jackson, Gennaro, DeBlasio, Fidler, Liu, Koppell, Gallagher, Oddo and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. This bill requires safety training for individuals erecting or working on supported scaffolding and establishes a permit requirement for scaffolding over a certain height.

"Introductory Number 597-A protect workers and the public from scaffolding accidents by requiring those responsible for erecting, maintaining or dismantling supported scaffolding over forty feet high to complete a 32-hour scaffold training program. The bill also requires individuals working on buildings or other structures from supported scaffolding over forty feet high to complete a four-hour user safety course. In both instances, the program or course must be offered by an institution licensed or registered with New York State, must be based on appropriate federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") standards, and must be taught by an OSHA certified instructor. Finally, the bill requires individuals wanting to erect, dismantle or repair supported scaffolding over 40 feet high to obtain a permit from the Department of Buildings prior to commencing work.

"Falls from scaffolds are one of the most common construction accidents. Training workers who erect scaffolds and training workers who use them is a simple, common-sense way to reduce this type of accident.

"I would like to thank the City Council and Department of Buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster for their leadership on this issue."