The Department of Buildings had several major accomplishments in 2009, including the launch of new initiatives and programs designed to increase safety and improve accountability at construction sites across the City. Below are more details on our major accomplishments.

84% Percent Decrease in Construction-Related Fatalities
In 2009, there were three construction-related fatalities, an 84% decrease from 2008 where there were 19 fatalities.  It was the fewest number of construction-related fatalities in the past four years.

66 Recommendations to Improve Safety  
The Department announced the results of an unprecedented analysis of high-risk construction and released 66 recommendations to improve the ways crane, hoist, excavation and concrete operations are regulated and carried out in New York City. 
 
Completion of Legislative Agenda            
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg signed Intro 878-a and Intro 760-a into law, completing the Department’s comprehensive legislative agenda announced in June 2008 to enhance Department oversight and enforcement powers. 
  
Construction Safety Week                          
The Department hosted its Fifth Annual Construction Safety Week.  The week-long event was expanded to include 14 seminars and trainings with more than 25 speakers and visits to construction sites in all five boroughs.
 
urbanSHED International Design Competition
The Department and AIANY launched the urbanSHED International Design competition to create a new standard of sidewalk shed design. The competition is sponsored by DOB, AIANY, Alliance for Downtown New York, ABNY Foundation, IESNYC and New York Building Congress with additional support from the NYC DOT, NYC DCP and SEAoNY.

New Development Challenge Process
The Department reformed the process for challenging zoning decisions by requiring applicants to submit diagrams of proposed new buildings and enlargements so they can be posted online before construction begins. As part of the reforms, a 45-day period was established where the public can view the diagrams and issue a zoning challenge to the Department. New York is the first city in the country to have such drawings online.
 
GPS Tracking
Continuing its commitment to modernizing operations, the Department began using GPS technology to track the on-duty locations of all inspectors to better ensure the integrity of inspections and dispatch resources more efficiently.
 
Concrete Safety
The Department joined the Departments of Investigation and Design and Construction to announce the creation of a comprehensive program to increase the oversight of concrete testing in the City. That includes a new city-owned and operated concrete-testing laboratory and a new DOB Concrete Unit to audit the work of private firms.
 
National Elevator Escalator Safety Week
The Department provided more than 2,000 first, second and third graders across the City with important tips on how to stay safe on elevators and escalators as part of National Elevator Escalator Safety Week.  Safety classes were given at 13 schools, the most presentations offered since the Department's annual program began in 2004

Retaining Wall Inspection Program                       
The Department continued its annual no-penalty retaining wall inspection program, encouraging homeowners to have their retaining walls checked to prevent future accidents.

Safety Program for Stalled Sites
The Department created a Stalled Sites Unit to better monitor stalled construction throughout the City and work closely with owners and developers to keep their sites safe. With support from Mayor Bloomberg, the City Council and the Department, Intro 1015-a was signed into law, allowing the extension of building permits for developers who agree to meet increased safety standards at their sites.

Crane Safety
Following two fatal crane accidents in 2008, the Department strived to make crane operations safer than ever before. Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri announced a partnership with Chicago and Philadelphia to share critical data on tower cranes erected within their borders. Commissioner LiMandri also testified before the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on the need for local jurisdictions to enforce crane safety laws.

Increase in Bicycle Parking
The Department worked with the Department of Transportation to make it easer for New Yorkers to use bicycles as a mode of transportation. With support from the two agencies and the City Council, Mayor Bloomberg signed two bills into law which increase bicycle parking in office buildings and garages.