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 | Jan 7, 2021
Workers on some of Virginia’s major construction projects sue subcontractors for wage theft
Projects include new General Assembly Building, outpatient facility at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Codes and Standards | Jan 5, 2021
EPA finalizes first major update to Lead and Copper rule
Will accelerate pace of lead service line replacement.
Codes and Standards | Jan 5, 2021
Flood risk for affordable housing expected to triple by 2050
Some communities will have 90% of their affordable housing at risk.
Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2021
Ranks of remote workers expected to double in five years
Nearly 23% of employees will work from outside of offices.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
CSI and ASTM standards can now be connected through a central location
CROSSWALK web service accesses standards specific to projects from feasibility to turnover.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
Dept. of Energy offers Better Buildings Field Validation Results Hub
One-stop-shop for information associated with technology validations in buildings.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
2021 Defense Authorization Act includes mass timber provision
Directs defense, agriculture secretaries to review potential for wood frame construction on defense building projects.
Codes and Standards | Dec 28, 2020
New York City proposal would require rainwater detention tanks for new development
Rule would apply to projects on lots sized 20,000 sf or larger.
Codes and Standards | Dec 17, 2020
Energy efficiency as a service gaining ground as financing approach for adopting innovations
Building owners can invest in new technology with no upfront cost.
Codes and Standards | Dec 16, 2020
Resources available to address Legionella threat
Buildings reopened after extended pandemic closure are at risk.