In response to mounting public pressure, Mayor Bloomberg made what was hopefully just a first step in addressing worker safety issues in the building industry yesterday. Among other measures, the city is earmarking $4 million to create a 10-man unit at the DOB focused on the scaffolding safety; another $2 million will go towards multi-lingual training and outreach for contractors and laborers. Joel A. Shufro, executive director of the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health and a member of Mayor Bloomberg’s task force, called the measures the first step in the right direction. He expressed skepticism that an extra 10 inspectors would have much impact on a city full of construction projects. We would have been happier if there had been criminal sanctions written into the law, Mr. Shufro said. We believe that nothing focuses employers’ attention better than the prospect of spending time in jail for not following safety precautions. Exactly right.
Bloomberg Adds Building Safety Measures [NY Times]
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