Who is responsible for ensuring safe conditions at the construction site?

Under New York’s Labor Laws protecting construction workers, general contractors and property owners and, in certain situations, subcontractors, engineers and safety inspectors are responsible for maintaining a safe work environment for construction workers. For many accidents covered by New York Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 241(6), the general contractors and site owners can be found at fault for the work of their subcontractors and agents. Most construction sites must have a construction superintendent, site safety coordinator, or site safety manager. All construction workers must receive at least 40 hours of site safety training, and safety coordinators and managers must receive at least 62 hours.

The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) regulates construction site safety in the city. DOB safety inspectors visit construction sites to confirm that construction companies have followed all applicable safety regulations.