Stirred to action by 29 construction fatalities last year, New York City announced new measures Feb. 7 to protect workers from falls from suspended scaffolds by beefing up inspections, improving safety practices by contractors and assuring that Spanish-speaking workers aren’t endangered because of gaps in communication.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced measures developed by a task force that included employers. Its recommendations will be enacted through new laws submitted to the City Council and through new city policies. Representatives of the U.S. Labor Dept. also worked with the city in developing the new measures.