SEPTEMBER 7, 2021, NEW APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSES/REGISTRATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED THROUGH DOB NOW!

Beginning on September 7, 2021 all new license applications must be filed online through DOB NOW. 
 An e-filing account is necessary to apply for a license! 

The last day to submit paper applications for new licenses is this Friday, August 20, 2021Any application postmarked after this Friday will be returned. 

All documents will be scanned and uploaded with payment being made online as well. Logging onto your e-filing account will enable you to check the status of your application. 

Any changes to existing licenses will continue to be accepted by mail and drop-off.
View NYC DOB Service Notice
 212.683.7200 | [email protected]

SAFE AND SOUND WEEK 2021

Thousands of organizations participate in Safe + Sound Week to pledge their commitment to workplace safety and health. This week, OSHA recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe. An effective safety program can help identify hazards and reduce injury or illness at the workplace.

Join City Safety as we participate and recognize those who always put safety first.

STALLED SITE FENCE UPDATE!

STALLED SITE FENCE UPDATE!
  On June 28, 2021, Local Law 74 was enacted by the NYC Council. This law requires the replacement of wooden fences with chain link fences after two continuous years of stalled construction. Local Law 74 was originally conceived because wooden fences at stalled construction sites are often found in various conditions of disrepair and have been subject to various kinds of vandalism. The Law will go into effect 180 days after June 28th, 2021.(Friday December 24, 2021) Avoid a potential $25,000 fine by adhering to this new law.
READ MORE

212.683.7200 | [email protected]

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY THE NYC DOB IS RESCINDING ITS COVID-19 GUIDANCE!

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS (NYC DOB) IS RESCINDING ITS COVID-19 GUIDANCE! NO MORE 6’ SOCIAL DISTANCING OR FACE MASKS REQUIRED!
 The Department of Buildings rescinds the following: 
Updated guidance to owners and contractors regarding how to secure their construction and demolition sites when operations are suspended due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency; DOB’s Phase 1 Reopening Guidance (issued on June 5, 2020);
Updated guidance to owners and contractors regarding the reopening of sites whose operations were suspended due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency;
Describes the application process for qualifying educational institutions to obtain approval for temporary student dormitory use in hotels;
Describes when a DOB permit application is not required and how to determine the number of occupants for the reopening of indoor food services and dining in restaurants and establishments in New York City. 
View NYC DOB Buildings Bulletin
212.683.7200 | [email protected]

RECOGNITION OF 4TH OF JULY

Every July 4th, our nation celebrates its independence and freedom. Wishing the best to you and your family!  In recognition of this holiday our office will be closed on Monday, July 5th.

SAFETY PROGRAMS CAN HELP CONTRACTORS SAVE ON INSURANCE!

Safety Programs Can Help Contractors Save on Insurance


Insurance companies can view construction as a high hazard business. Claims can also take years to work through because of the liability involving different parties. Securing favorable workers’ comp rates can help mitigate the costs of other lines of commercial insurance. An important step organizations can take to improve their workers’ compensation risk profile is to document a safety program that includes a proactive process that helps workers find and fix hazards.


The benefits of having a documented safety program are:

  •  Potential insurance savings.
  •  Recruiting advantage when looking for skilled labor.
  •  Safety programs can reduce injuries and claim’s costs.
  •  Safety programs can lead to a more productive and engaged workforce.


Safety programs should be reviewed regularly to ensure that they are accurate and current. OSHA estimates that programs can reduce injuries by 15-35 percent for employees who do not have a program set in place. Safety programs can fit any budget and any organization. In order to get started, follow the steps below:

  1.  Consult with a safety professional/organization. This helps ensure that the designed rules and regulations are being followed for your state.
  2.  Employers should document all aspects of their safety program and shared with new employees, insurance carriers, OSHA, etc.
  3.  All safety programs should start from the top with leadership’s commitment to safety and risk management, while setting goals for the organization.
  4.  Safety programs need to have a commitment from all workers.
  5.  After leadership identifies goals and seeks insights from workers, employers should identify and assess workplace hazards.
  6.  Employers should create a plan to prioritize and control the identified hazards.
  7.  A crucial part of controlling risk is educating and training workers.
  8.  Leadership should review safety programs regularly to determine the effectiveness and needed improvements.

It’s important to put your trust in a professional organization to help met these goals. City safety can write new programs or revise your current one with new updates. Put your trust in City Safety.

THE HERO ACT

The New York Health and Essential Rights Act (The HERO Act) was signed by Governor Cuomo on May 5, 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The intent of this new law is to prevent future occupational exposures to airborne infectious diseases at workplaces.


This NY Labor Law 218-b, 27-d requires the following:

  • NYS Department of Labor (NYSDOL), in consultation with the Department of Health (DOH), to create and publish a general model airborne infectious disease exposure standard and model standards for each industry that represents a significant portion of the workforce, or with unique characteristics.
  • Private employers to establish an airborne infectious disease exposure plan by adopting the model standard (developed by NYS DOL), or an alternative plan.
  • Model plan to include requirements of procedures and methods (ex: PPE, social distanc-ing, etc.).
  • Employer to provide written notice to workers about the model standard.
  • Employer to provide a copy of the plan to all employees.
  • Plan must be posted at the workplace, and included in any employee handbook.
  • Plan must also include anti-retaliation requirements. Employer is prohibited from taking any adverse action against an employee for exercising his/her rights under this Law.
  • Authorizes NYS DOL and the NYS Attorney General to take appropriate enforcement measures including assessment of civil penalties.
  • Employee right to establish labor-management workplace safety committees.

For more details visit the NYS DOL dedicated website: https://dol.ny.gov/ny-hero-act and you can also direct general inquiries to [email protected].

212.683.7200 | [email protected]

NYC DOB HAS RECENTLY SHUT DOWN 300 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS!

THE NEW YORK CITY (NYC) DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS (DOB) HAS RECENTLY SHUT DOWN 300 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR SAFETY INFRACTIONS, MOST BEING “LOW-RISE” BUILDINGS!
 They have also issued 25,986 Stop Work Orders (SWO) in 2018 and 2019 combined. This is an average of 1082 per month or 270 per-week. Site Safety supports Intro 2263-2021 that would amend the NYC Building Code to include all new buildings and full demolitions over 7 stories to require a full-time site safety coordinator/manager. Local Law 196 was half the battle by requiring training for all workers on most construction sites. Having a safety coordinator/manager on low-rise buildings will save workers lives.  We have provided safety management to the construction industry for 22 years, contact us to make your site safe!
View NYC DOB Construction Report
 !212.683.7200 | [email protected] 

WILDFIRES

Wildfires

Before a wildfire threatens your area…

  •  Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks.
  •  Remove dead vegetation and other items from under your deck or porch, and within 10 feet of the house.
  •  Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combusti-ble materials from accumulating.
  •  Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds.
  •  Wildfire can spread to tree tops. Prune trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground.
  •  Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.
  •  Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.
  •  Inspect shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.
  •  Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home.
  •  Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screens with metal mesh to prevent ember entry.

Creating an emergency plan…

  •  Assemble an emergency supply kit and place it in a safe spot. Include important documents, medications and personal identification.
  •  Develop an emergency evacuation plan and practice it with everyone in your home.
  •  Plan two ways out of your neighborhood and designate a meeting place.

During the time a wildfire is in your area…

  •  Stay aware of the latest news and updates from your local media and fire department. Get your family, home and pets prepared to evacuate.
  •  Place your emergency supply kit and other valuables in your vehicle.
  •  Move patio or deck furniture, cushions, door mats and potted plants in wooden containers either indoors or as far away from the home, shed and garage as possible.
  •  Close and protect your home’s openings, including attic and basement doors and vents, win-dows, garage doors and pet doors to prevent embers from penetrating your home.
  •  Connect garden hoses and fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water. Firefighters have been known to use the hoses to put out fires on rooftops.
  •  Leave as early as possible, before you’re told to evacuate. Do not linger once evacuation orders have been given. Promptly leaving your home and neighborhood clears roads for firefighters to get equipment in place to fight the fire, and helps ensure residents’ safety.


212.683.7200 | [email protected]