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
Codes and Standards | Nov 2, 2021
Rapid acceleration of affordable housing development expected over next five years
Federal government programs will spur construction.
Codes and Standards | Nov 1, 2021
New bird-friendly technical design guide released
National Glass Assn. document offers design and installation best practices for glazing.
Codes and Standards | Nov 1, 2021
World’s first chief heat officer tackles how to protect Miamians from extreme heat
Focus on chronic exposure for outdoor workers and for those that can’t afford AC.
Codes and Standards | Oct 28, 2021
Design competition launched to show role of mass timber in decarbonization
Forest Service and Softwood Lumber Board will award $2 million in grants to winning teams.
Codes and Standards | Oct 27, 2021
Texas reforms series of contractor laws
Measures seen as making it easier to do business in the state.
Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2021
Drownings during Hurricane Ida point out FEMA flood map flaws
Eleven people drowned in New York City in areas marked as low risk.
Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2021
Dept. of Energy’s REScheck tool updated for the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code
Previous version incorporated 2018 code.
Codes and Standards | Oct 20, 2021
New York City passes overhaul of construction codes
Over 600 major changes along with thousands of smaller updates slated for 2022.
Codes and Standards | Oct 20, 2021
One-quarter of U.S. critical infrastructure at risk of failure due to flooding
Police and fire stations, hospitals, airports, and wastewater treatment facilities face threat.
Codes and Standards | Oct 19, 2021
Pittsburgh enacts first-in-the-nation “Dark Sky Lighting” law
Applies to all city parks, facilities, and streetlights.