NYC construction fatalities decrease, accidents increase

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