flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Sliding-scale proposal for civil damages resulting from construction fatalities, injuries draws ire of trades

Codes and Standards

Sliding-scale proposal for civil damages resulting from construction fatalities, injuries draws ire of trades

New York City Council proposal puts limits on penalties for safety violations leading to death, serious injury.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | January 10, 2018

A New York City Council proposal that would mandate a sliding-scale system be used when awarding civil damages for construction-related injuries or fatalities has drawn fire from two prominent unions.

The measure would limit city penalties to $500,000 for companies and $150,000 for individuals when safety violations result in serious injury or death. The Building Trades Employers' Association and the General Contractors Association slammed the proposal, saying that ability to pay should not be a consideration when upholding safety regulations and determining damages.

In civil cases related to construction injuries and deaths, judges would have to consider the degree of injury, the defendant's violation history, the extent of willfulness or negligence, and the defendant's ability to pay before making a monetary award. The bill seems designed to prevent companies from being penalized so heavily that they have to go out of business.

One union representative said that the bill sends a message that workers’ lives at larger, more established companies are more valuable than workers’ lives at smaller, less established firms.

Related Stories

| Apr 26, 2012

Developers can use LEED wastewater credits to help gain approvals in environmentally sensitive locales

Those wanting to pursue development in heavily regulated and environmentally sensitive areas are benefiting by designing projects that qualify for LEED points, even if the project as a whole does not achieve certification.

| Apr 26, 2012

New York City Council moves to license elevator mechanics

New York’s City Council introduced a measure last week that would require the city’s 7,000 elevator mechanics to meet national standards and be licensed by the city.

| Apr 23, 2012

AAMA releases updated specification for anodized aluminum

AAMA 611-12 describes test procedures and requirements for high performance (Class I) and commercial (Class II) architectural quality aluminum oxide coatings applied to aluminum extrusions and panels for architectural products.

| Apr 19, 2012

Michigan legislature tackling controversial rules on electricians

A fight is brewing in the Michigan legislature over how many fully qualified electricians must be present during electrical work when apprentices also are on hand.

| Apr 19, 2012

Washington city may base building code on rising sea level due to global warming

Aberdeen may become the first city in Washington to base a building code on rising oceans and global warming.

| Apr 19, 2012

CSI webinar on energy codes and building envelopes

This seminar will review recent changes in energy codes, examples of building enclosure wall assemblies for code compliance, potential moisture management and durability challenges, and design tools to assess and minimize potential problems.

| Apr 19, 2012

Innovative plan for storm water in Philadelphia gets EPA’s OK

Philadelphia's $2 billion plan to manage its storm water with green methods including porous pavement, green roofs, and more trees, was officially approved last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

| Apr 19, 2012

LEED 2012 to include new credit category for transit-oriented development

The updated LEED 2012 system will introduce a new credit category, “Location and Transportation,” to encourage development oriented around public transit and more walkable communities.

| Apr 17, 2012

FMI report examines federal construction trends

Given the rapid transformations occurring in the federal construction sector, FMI examines the key forces accelerating these changes, as well as their effect on the industry.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021