NYC Takes Steps to Prevent Construction Accidents

Construction site accidents are nothing new. In fact, they are unfortunate occurrences that happen all over the country, almost every day. Despite numerous regulations set up by OSHA, construction workers are getting hurt and even dying due on a regular basis.

But recently, there has been an increase in these events with a spate of crane accidents across New York City that claimed the lives of at least nine people.

Investigations have been opened and questions are being asked about whom to blame. It's become clear that negligence is playing a role somewhere, either at the government or contract level. As new construction projects start up in the city, a few preventive steps have been taken by the city council to avoid any further problems.

The New York City Council wasted no time in passing a package of bills in an attempt to prevent further accidents. The bills are said to cover a wide range of safety topics that would include citing immediate violations. These violations would include falling risks, loose debris, and keeping combustible materials in an unsafe manner. One bill will deal with structural building inspections to ensure there hasn't been a fire or any other elemental damage to the buildings. Another bill will focus on retaining walls and having mandatory structural inspections every five years. While these are certainly positive steps for preventing further construction accidents, there is still a lot more that needs to be done.

The unpalatable truth is that it took nine deaths in these recent crane accidents for these bills to come to the table.