In an effort to increase construction safety and stem the trend of increased construction accidents, the New York City City Council is preparing to introduce a package of bills that would require additional safety training, mandate an apprenticeship program, address how fatalities are reported by the Department of Buildings and create a minority workforce task force, according to several sources who have seen drafts of the measures.
The biggest spot of contention is over the apprenticeship program mandate. Developers have criticized apprenticeship programs as a ploy to boost union membership. They also worry it will drive up the cost of construction, especially at smaller projects.
“Ideas, like requiring state-approved apprenticeship programs, will only result in shutting down construction sites and putting people out of work,” said Real Estate Board of New York President John Banks.
(more on the possible new legislation to increase safety on NYC construction sites...)
