Construction-related accidents in New York City declined 28 percent in 2010 compared to the previous year, Department of Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri announced today. In 2010, there were 157 reported construction-related accidents, compared to 218 in 2009, a decrease that the city attributes to stricter safety requirements and greater outreach to the members of the industry. There were four fatal construction-related accidents in 2010, a 78 percent decrease from 2008. Meanwhile, new construction permits for new buildings citywide declined 7 percent, to 1,517 in 2010 from 1,635 in 2009. [more]

The number of construction deaths dropped roughly 80 percent last year compared to 2008, according to data released today by the Department of Buildings, even though the number of accidents increased. There were three fatalities in 2009 compared to 19 in 2008, DOB said. The three deaths include two cases in which a worker fell to his death — one in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn — and the third was due to the collapse of a concrete wall in Staten Island. Meanwhile, the total number of reported construction accidents rose to 224 in 2009 from 151 in 2008, according to DOB. The department ramped up its safety efforts last year including increasing its oversight of high-risk construction operations and implementing new safety awareness programs and initiatives. The number of initial permits issued for major construction decreased 33 percent in 2009. TRD

New York City construction accidents have spiked 40 percent this year through last Friday, up to 158 incidents, compared to the same time period in 2008, according to the Department of Buildings. The number of on-site injuries also increased by 30 percent. An early report on the data attributes the increase in accidents to the rising number of workers falling on the job — the number of worker falls has doubled since last year, according to the report. Some in the department also say that construction workers and foremen have been more vigilant about reporting incidents, which would account for the higher number recorded. “There is a heightened awareness of safety throughout the construction industry, which has prompted the reporting of more incidents,” Tony Sclafani, a buildings department spokesperson, said.