The City Council yesterday unanimously passed the Construction Worker Safety Bill (Intro. 1447) – a solid legislative victory for its prime sponsor City Councilmembers Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood).
The measure, which comes on the heels of a continuing uptick of deaths on construction sites, including two in the last week, will mandate construction worker safety training standards.
The much debated bill went through three versions before final passage as it pitted construction unions, who favored the original bill versus real estate interests, independent contractors and immigration advocates.
Williams’ first version of the bill would have required workers to complete 59 hours of training, but the opponents argued it was skewered towards the unions as it exempted members from the new training requirements, whereas day workers and independent contractors, many of whom are immigrants or minorities, often lacked the money and language skills to get training.
According to the final bill, the first 10 hours of worker training must be completed by March 2018, an additional 30 hours by December 1 of that year, and 40-55 hours within five months of that date. In addition, a task force has been created to help facilitate construction worker training and determine training content in conjunction with the Department of Buildings (DOB).
The passing of this bill also comes with a $5 million dollar city council commitment to help ensure access to the training for all workers, regardless of affiliation. The measure also escalates employers, owners and developers responsibility for construction worker safety by imposing a fine of up to $5,000 per untrained worker.
Williams, chair of the Housing and Building Committee, said the final approved measure addressed all of the issues that were brought to the council by everyone. “This was not a rush job. It took eight months. This discussion has been going on for years,” he told reporters.
“Requiring a uniform baseline amount of safety training is a long overdue and critically important measure to having a tangible impact on worker’s well-being. This action begins to address the eroded culture of worker safety in the New York City construction industry, an erosion that has led to unsafe conditions, injuries, and death,” said Williams.
Gary LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, representing trade unions, called the bill’s passage a historic moment in the fight for a safer workplace.
“Intro 1447 will be a significant step in the right direction for improving worker safety and standardizing rigorous training in New York City. I want to thank the New York City Council for taking up this important issue and getting the job done with a unanimous vote on behalf of all the hard working construction workers of New York City. We look forward to working hand in hand with the City and the real estate industry to keep both workers and the public safe. For it is only together that we can ensure the safest conditions for all workers who build our great city,” said LeBarbera.
Also praising the passage was Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This vote means that New York City hard hats will get the safety training they need for one of our city’s most dangerous jobs, and that will help get them home to their families at night and keep construction sites safe for everyone,” he said.
