12.05.2008

Site shutdowns costing millions

A new report by Crain's New York Business has highlighted that minor violations are shutting down construction sites and costing contractors millions of dollars as the Buildings Department cracks down on inspections in the wake of the deadly East Side crane collapse.

A top industry group says New York is paralysed by fear after eight people were killed when a massive crane fell in Turtle Bay on March 15.

"These inspectors are all afraid of losing their jobs," said Louis Coletti of the Building Trades Employers' Association.

In April, there were 1,403 stop-work orders on construction sites in the city - nearly double the 785 issued in January. Construction workers and site managers said that they were shut down for minor paperwork technicalities.

Acting Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri - who replaced Patricia Lancaster last month - denied the city is going out of its way to slow down work sites.

"Some might argue that certain safety precautions aren't really necessary, but the law is very specific in the precautions that need to be taken," LiMandri said. "Development is very important to New York's future, but we are not going to compromise public safety."

So far this year, 14 workers have died in eight separate accidents across the city.