New York, NY – There is no shortage of construction in the city, and with that comes no shortage of accidents. As a result, city Buildings Department is trying to be more proactive in its efforts to protect residents and property.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
A special enforcement team was put into place just to monitor contractors doing excavation. This team makes unannounced visits to construction sites, trying to making sure builders follow engineering plans and safe construction practices.
The 11-member team has done some 1450 inspections in six months, issuing 288 stop-work orders. Contractors can also be ordered to "back-fill" a site.
"[This] means they have to start all over again," said First Deputy Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri. "No contractor wants to start over from scratch."
One project superintendent at a Williamsburg construction said that he supports the new enforcement efforts.
"It's a pretty thorough check, keeps everyone on their toes," said the foreman Paul Signorelli of Levine Builders.
The Buildings Department encourages New Yorkers to report unsafe conditions by calling 311. [NY1]