For Immediate Release
January 30, 2026

***WEATHER ADVISORY***

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS ADVISES PROPERTY OWNERS, CONTRACTORS, & CRANE OPERATORS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES DURING SEVERE WINTER WEATHER

The New York City metropolitan area may experience severe weather including wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour, dangerously cold temperatures, and the potential for more snow, starting today, January 30, and continuing into the weekend. Starting next week, temperatures are expected to rise, which can lead to potentially dangerous melting snow and ice conditions. Falling icicles and snow masses from buildings can be dangerous in a dense city like New York City, due to the potential of injuring pedestrians, damaging vehicles, and disrupting transportation if streets must be closed for safety reasons. Accordingly, DOB is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment, and to follow all Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) prescribed regulations and recommendations for helping ensure worker safety.

The department will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, the department will take immediate enforcement action — issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary.

Winds may reach higher speeds and last longer than forecast in certain areas of the city. Property owners must consider the safety of their buildings and construction sites, including cranes, suspended and supported scaffolding, hoists, and any other building appurtenances that may come loose from exposure to high winds. Structures that have been subject to deferred maintenance or are in delicate condition could be at greater risk. The department suggests consulting a professional to advise how to secure construction sites and buildings.

To safeguard construction sites, builders, contractors, and developers should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:

• Tie down and secure material and loose debris at construction sites.
• Cover electrical equipment from exposure to the weather.
• Store loose tools, oil cans, and extra fuses in a toolbox.
• Secure netting, scaffolding, and sidewalk sheds.
• Suspend crane operations and secure crane equipment when wind speeds reach 30 mph or greater.
• Suspend hoist operations and secure exterior hoists when wind speeds reach 30 mph or greater, unless manufacturer specifications state otherwise.
• Brace and secure construction fences.
• Safely clear icicles and vulnerable snow masses from sidewalk sheds and supported and suspended scaffolds.
• Clear roofs, overhangs and gutters of melting snow and ice.
• Clear gutters and spouts of debris to allow proper drainage.
• Call 911 if there is an emergency on a construction site.

Additional tips for contractors to winterize their construction sites:

• Clean up debris from the site each day and remove any ice and snow from the site which can cause tripping hazards. Secure any material, netting, ladders, chutes and other items that may be affected by windy winter storms.
• Additionally, make sure that adjacent walkways on the outside of a construction fence and sidewalk shed are cleared of ice and debris.
• Ensure that any piece of temporary heating equipment used at the construction site complies with the relevant regulations in the NYC Construction Codes and NYC Fire Code.
• Protect all sprinkler and standpipe lines from freezing, and follow all requirements sets forth in the applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations.
• Slips and worker falls are the leading cause of worker fatalities and critical injuries in New York, you should not be working on scaffolding and sidewalk sheds that are covered in snow, ice or slush, except to remove the slip hazards.
• If you have a crane on your site that isn’t going to be used for long periods of time, make sure that it is properly stored. Cranes that are scheduled to be inactive for more than 30 days should be stored properly, inspected and maintained – including positioning and set up for inclement weather.

Buildings Bulletin 2015-029 outlines the requirements for vertical netting, debris netting and material-fall protection devices at buildings and construction sites.

To secure a building, property owners should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:

• Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools, and toys.
• Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
• Close up and secure patio umbrellas.
• Secure retractable awnings.
• Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.
• Take down tents or follow manufacturer’s instructions to secure them.
• Secure and clear roofs, awnings, umbrellas and overhangs of melting snow and ice.
• Remove ice and snow from tree limbs and other structures. Remove ice and snow from tree limbs and other structures.
• Check to ensure all gutters, roof drains, and down spouts are cleared of debris to allow for proper drainage.

New Yorkers are encouraged to call 311 to report non-compliant conditions or 911 to report emergencies at construction sites or buildings. New Yorkers who suspect a building or property has been structurally compromised should call 911.

Under §28-301.1 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, property owners are legally obligated to maintain their properties in a safe condition.

Department weather advisories are strictly a courtesy to remind property owners to prepare their properties for severe weather and cannot be read to suggest that the department, rather than the property owner, is responsible for maintaining his or her property.