Construction incidents in New York hit a 10-year low in 2024, but more still needs to be done
The numbers are in, and they’re largely good news: construction sites in New York became much safer in 2024, following an uptick in accidents in 2023.
That’s according to a recent report from the New York City Mayor’s Office and the Department of Buildings (DOB). According to the report, worker injuries dropped by 30 percent in 2024, and construction-related incidents fell by 24 percent. Still, more needs to be done to protect construction workers from the many hazards they encounter on the job.
What’s driving the drop in construction accidents in New York?
According to the report, some factors that have contributed to the drop in incidents include:
- New technology to track work site safety compliance.
- New oversight mandates for construction superintendents.
- New licensing requirements for crane operators.
- More DOB inspections of construction sites.
- Increased communication by DOB with the construction and development industry.
It all adds up to significant gains for construction worker safety. New York’s 638 construction-related incidents in 2024 represented a ten-year low, and the 482 worker injuries were a nine-year low. The number of fatalities, meanwhile, held steady at seven, matching 2023’s ten-year low.
Still, even one fatality is one too many, and every incident can have a life-altering impact on construction workers and their families. It’s incumbent on both regulators and the construction industry to continue to prioritize safety and bring the number of injuries and fatalities even lower.
Additional steps to protect construction workers
In its press release accompanying the report, DOB highlighted the establishment of a new enforcement unit that will utilize data to proactively inspect potentially dangerous buildings and identify unsafe contractors. Additional technological and regulatory improvements may also help to protect workers from on-the-job injuries.
Just as importantly, though, the construction industry needs to prioritize worker safety over profits and do its part to keep injuries to an absolute minimum. When construction companies cut corners on safety, workers pay the price. Many types of negligence on construction sites can increase the risk of injury, including but not limited to:
- Inadequate training on safety guidelines and best practices.
- Failure to provide adequate safety gear.
- Failure to properly maintain construction vehicles and equipment.
- Not following proper lockout/tagout procedures on electrified equipment.
- Leaving trip hazards, such as debris scattered throughout the site.
- Inadequate scaffolding and safety equipment for workers at height.
- Poor communication between contractors and subcontractors.
As encouraging as the 2024 numbers are, they also serve as a reminder that construction accidents are preventable. We’ve made progress in the last year, but we can just as easily go backward if construction companies aren’t held accountable when they let workers get hurt. That’s where we come in.
Talk to an experienced construction accident attorney today
Falls, struck-by accidents, electrocution, and other construction accidents can change workers’ lives forever. You have rights under New York law, but you have to fight for them. The construction accident lawyer you choose will make all the difference.
Attorney Pat James Crispi and the legal team at Keogh Crispi, P.C. have been fighting for New York construction workers for decades. If you’ve been hurt on a construction site, give us a call or contact us online for a free consultation.
"During one of the most trying times of our life, Pat Crispi and his team were outstanding. Throughout the whole process, Pat treated us with professionalism, compassion, and understanding. Even when we were emotionally confused and hopeless, he was always honest about the challenges we faced with the case." – Ahmed E., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐