New York Construction News staff writer
Construction-related injuries and incidents on New York City job sites fell sharply in 2024, reaching their lowest levels in nearly a decade, according to the New York City Department of Buildings’ (DOB) annual Construction Safety Report released Wednesday.
The report found a 30 percent decrease in worker injuries compared to 2023, with 482 injuries reported in 2024 — the fewest in nine years. Construction-related incidents dropped 24 percent year-over-year, from 841 in 2023 to 638 in 2024, marking a 10-year low. Worker fatalities, though still present, remained at a 10-year low with seven deaths reported.
The safety improvements come amid increased enforcement, updated regulations, and expanded safety initiatives introduced by DOB in recent years. In 2024, the department carried out 416,290 field inspections — the most ever conducted in a single year — and launched new oversight requirements for superintendents, new licensing for operators of smaller cranes and hoists, and adopted technology to better track compliance on work sites.
Data in the report showed that more than 98 percent of construction sites citywide did not report a single injury or incident in 2024. However, officials stressed that accidents can still occur on projects of any size in all neighborhoods, reinforcing the need for continued vigilance.
The city’s construction sector also experienced significant growth in 2024, with 103,592 initial building permits issued — a 24 percent increase from the previous year and the highest total in five years. The report also highlights that the DOB will establish a new enforcement unit in 2025, supported by $5 million in funding from the Adams administration, to proactively inspect buildings and contractors flagged through predictive analytics.
DOB Commissioner Jimmy Oddo said the city’s safety progress reflects a collective effort across government and the construction industry.
“The progress we’ve made in reducing injuries and keeping fatalities at their lowest in close to a decade is a testament to the effectiveness of our safety initiatives, the decidedness of our inspection teams, and the buy-in from our industry partners,” Oddo said. “We are not alone in believing that every fatality and injury that occurred in 2024 was preventable.”
Industry leaders echoed the sentiment and praised the DOB’s approach to safety and collaboration.
“The NYCSRA is proud to have worked on the passage of Local Law 196 of 2017, which set safety training standards for all construction workers and supervisors,” said Veronika Sikorski, president of the NYC Special Riggers Association. “Strict implementation of this and other safety laws continues to keep people safe.”
“Safety is the bedrock of everything we do in the construction industry,” said Brian Sampson, president of ABC Empire State Chapter. “The work is far from over. We must remain focused on addressing workplace injuries and ensuring that every worker gets home safe.”
John T. Evers, president and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York, called the results evidence of a shared commitment. “Engineering plays a critical role in the construction process, and our member firms work closely with the DOB to ensure construction operations are conducted safely.”
Other industry voices, including the Associated General Contractors of New York State, the New York Building Congress, and the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, emphasized the importance of continued investment in safety training, inspections, and workforce development.
The DOB plans to expand its educational outreach in 2025 and increase collaboration with contractors and labor groups as it continues to drive incident numbers lower.
“Licensed contractors in New York City are among our country’s most skilled and experienced professionals,” said April McIver, executive director of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York. “We applaud our industry members and government partners for working together to ensure that these operations are performed in the safest manner possible.”
