Newsletter: Local Law 196 In Effect!
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Local Law 196 is in effect!
As of Sunday, December 1, 2019, Local Law 196 site safety training requirements for all construction sites that require a Site Safety Plan are now in effect. Workers are required to have OSHA 30 cards or temporary SST cards as proof that they have completed the required 30 hours of training, and supervisors must have full SST cards certifying they have completed the mandated 62 hours of training.
DOB inspectors recently conducted site-safety enforcement inspections in a sweep of 6,000 active construction sites citywide, and these unannounced inspections will be conducted on a regular basis in the coming year. Have you ordered your DOB approved SST Card? Click here to request an authentic SST Card for a low price of $50.
City Council to Require New Buildings to Use ‘Bird-Friendly’ Glass
New York City lawmakers are poised to adopt legislation requiring “bird-friendly” glass on all new construction in an effort to cut down on the tens of thousands of birds who die flying into the city’s buildings every year. The legislation proposed by Democratic City Council member Rafael Espinal would require that at least 90% of the exterior of the first 75 feet of all new buildings or major renovations be constructed with materials that are visible to birds, such as glass with a glazing or pattern.
Green and Solar Roof Requirements for New Buildings and Complete Roof Replacements
Effective November 15, 2019, Local Law 92 of 2019 and Local Law 94 of 2019 require all new buildings – and alterations of existing buildings where the entire existing roof deck or roof assembly is being replaced – to have a sustainable roofing zone covering 100 percent of the roof. The sustainable roofing zone must include a solar photovoltaic system generating at least 4kW, a green roof system, or a combination of the two. Vertical extensions or horizontal enlargements must also comply with these requirements.
Policy for Certifications from Crane Institute Certification
To avoid industry confusion the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an enforcement policy for crane operator certifications issued by Crane Institute Certification (CIC). OSHA requires crane operators engaged in construction activity to be certified by an entity accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency. CIC no longer holds such accreditation.
The policy explains that, although CIC-issued certifications are not compliant with OSHA’s operator certification requirement, OSHA does not intend to cite employers for operating equipment that violates that requirement if their operators, obtained CIC-issued certifications prior to December 2, 2019. Until further notice, OSHA will not accept CIC certifications – including re-certifications – issued on or after December 2, 2019.
