Construction work has always been one of the most dangerous occupations in New York City. Violations of the NYC Building Code and OSHA lead to catastrophic worker injuries every year.
At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, we’ve spent decades helping injured workers and their families fight back after serious construction site accidents.
By understanding the common building code violations in NYC that lead to injuries, workers can better protect themselves, and injured victims can hold negligent parties accountable.
Why Building Code Compliance Matters
The New York City Building Code and OSHA regulations are essential safety measures. These rules are designed to prevent the dangerous conditions that too often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. So when employers cut corners or ignore safety standards, the results can be devastating.
Understanding the most cited DOB violations in NY and how they contribute to accidents is crucial when pursuing a legal claim after an injury.
Violations That Cause Worker Injuries
Fall Protection Failures
Violation: Lack of guardrails, harnesses, or secure anchorage systems
Falls from heights are the leading cause of construction site fatalities and serious injuries in NYC. In fact, fall protection failures are some of the most common building code violations NYC inspectors uncover during site visits.
The NYC DOB and OSHA frequently cite sites for missing or inadequate fall protection systems, including:
- Missing guardrails on scaffolds or elevated work platforms
- Absence of personal fall arrest systems
- Failure to properly anchor safety harnesses
Far too often, the attorneys at WRSMH see fall-related injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries.
Unsafe Scaffolding
Violation: Improperly constructed, unsecured, or overloaded scaffolding
Scaffolding must meet strict guidelines under New York Labor Law and DOB regulations. Unfortunately, scaffolding issues are another major cause of unsafe construction sites in NYC.
A single weak point can result in disaster, making this one of the most cited DOB violations reported by NY inspectors every year. Even more, scaffold collapses can lead to multiple workers being injured at once.
Inspections routinely find problems like:
- Missing base plates or tie-backs
- Overloading with materials beyond capacity
- Poor assembly and structural defects
Electrical Hazards
Violation: Exposed wiring, faulty grounding, and improper lockout/tagout procedures
Electrical violations are a silent but deadly hazard on construction sites. Failure to control electrical risks is a major cause of injuries during building inspection failures in NYC, especially in renovation projects where old and new wiring systems collide.
Workers face serious risks of shocks, burns, or electrocution when:
- Temporary wiring is not secured properly
- Ground-fault protection is absent
- Equipment is serviced without shutting off power
Inadequate Site Safety Plans
Violation: Lack of an approved site safety plan for major projects
On larger construction sites, NYC law requires a detailed site safety plan that must be submitted, approved, and followed. However, DOB inspectors frequently issue violations when:
- No site safety manager is present
- Safety plans are missing or outdated
- Work deviates significantly from the approved plan
Without an enforceable safety plan, job sites become disorganized and chaotic, leading to an increased risk of falls, struck-by incidents, and material collapses.
Excavation and Trenching Violations
Violation: Unprotected trenches, improper shoring, and failure to inspect excavations
Trenching and excavation work is among the most hazardous activities in construction. Collapsed trenches can bury workers in seconds, causing suffocation, crush injuries, and fatalities. These are not freak accidents. They are the predictable result of ignoring well-established excavation safety rules.
DOB and OSHA inspectors consistently cite contractors for:
- Trenches deeper than five feet without protective systems
- Failure to perform daily inspections
- Lack of safe entry and exit routes
How Building Code Violations Result in Legal Claims
If you were injured on a construction site where violations were present, you may have strong grounds for a personal injury or Labor Law claim. In New York, owners, contractors, and site managers have strict duties to maintain safe workplaces.
DOB citations, OSHA reports, and building inspection findings are often key evidence used to establish:
- Negligence
- Failure to provide a safe workplace
- Violation of statutory labor laws (especially under Labor Law Sections 200, 240, and 241)
At WRSMH, we meticulously gather and analyze NYC unsafe construction site records to prove liability and maximize compensation for our clients.
Code Violations and Workers’ Rights in NYC
When building inspection failures in NYC expose unsafe practices, workers have legal protections and rights, including:
- Filing for workers’ compensation benefits
- Pursuing third-party personal injury claims
- Seeking full damages for pain and suffering, lost income, and medical expenses through civil litigation
Talk to an Experienced NYC Construction Accident Attorney Today
Often, construction accidents happen because someone chooses to ignore the safety rules that are designed to protect workers and save lives. If you were injured on the job, you have the right to seek compensation to cover the cost of your medical bills and other expenses.
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, has been getting justice for injured construction workers and their families in New York City for over 50 years. In fact, our clients have recovered over $2 billion in compensation.
Our New York City construction accident lawyers understand the complexities of NYC building codes, DOB enforcement, and New York Labor Law, and we know how to win. Call us today at (212) 986-7353 to schedule your free consultation.