Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Jimmy Oddo have rolled out the annual New York City Construction Safety Report for 2024, detailing a year marked by reduced injuries and incidents on the city's construction sites. According the report, workplace injuries dropped by 30%, while construction-related incidents were down 24% when compared to the previous year. To highlight the success, worker fatalities stayed at a 10-year low, a point both city officials are keen to highlight as evidence of their efforts to improve work site conditions.
A key update from the Mayor's office is the number of site inspections conducted by the Department of Buildings in 2024, totaling 416,290. In addition to the inspection figures, new oversight rules for construction superintendents and licensing requirements for operators of smaller crane devices have been introduced as part of efforts described by Commissioner Oddo to improve site safety compliance. "The progress we've made in reducing injuries and keeping fatalities at their lowest in close to a decade is a testament to the effectiveness of our safety initiatives," Commissioner Oddo told the Mayor's Office.
The report shows a decrease in construction-related incidents, from 841 in 2023 to 638 in 2024, and a reduction in injuries, from 692 to 482 over the same period. However, Commissioner Oddo noted that "every fatality and injury that occurred in 2024 was preventable," highlighting a continued focus on improving safety, according to a statement obtained by the Mayor's office. Industry representatives, including those from the NYC Special Riggers Association and the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, acknowledged the progress made and emphasized the importance of continued attention to worker safety.
The construction industry experienced growth in 2024, with initial permits increasing by over 24%. The Department of Buildings issued 103,592 new project permits, the highest number in five years. In addition to enforcement, the DOB is using enhanced digital infrastructure to monitor the city's over 1.1 million buildings, allowing them to identify potential issues and implement proactive measures. In 2025, the DOB will introduce a new enforcement unit, funded by New York City Council legislation and $5 million from the Adams administration. This unit will use predictive analytics to identify buildings and contractors that may require more immediate inspection, aiming to improve safety.
