Safety
Local Law 196 is Here: What do my workers need?
Dec
Now that Local Law 196 is here, there are some things you should keep in mind to make sure you are in compliance to avoid fines and penalties.
Important Training Reminders for Workers
As of December 1, 2019, workers must have 30 hours of site safety training along with acceptable proof of training. This can be either an OSHA 30 card or a limited SST card. This training could include any of these 3 options:
- OSHA 10-Hour Class
- 8-Hour Fall Prevention
- 8-Hour Chapter 33 (Site Safety Manager Renewal) OR 4-Hour General Electives AND 4-Hour Specialized Electives
- 4-Hour Supported Scaffold User and Refresher
- 100-Hour training program approved by the the NYC Department of Buildings
After December 1st, employers will be checking that workers on their jobsites have valid proof of site safety training. While workers do not get citations if they do not meet training requirements, employers will not allow workers to enter a jobsite if they do not have acceptable proof of site safety training.
Worker Information Signs for Jobsites
Workers in NYC should keep an eye out for worker information signs that are posted on all NYC construction sites where site safety training is required. The signs must:
- Contain specific information about required worker safety training, including all site safety training deadlines and the number of required training hours
- Be in all the languages used by workers to communicate at the construction site.
- Be clearly visible to workers and must be posted at the construction site as follows:
- Sites with construction fencing must post a sign at each egress point on the inside of the construction fencing, including vehicle delivery fence gates and existing loading docks.
- Sites without construction fencing must post a sign at each egress point within the controlled access zone where construction is taking place and at each existing loading dock or location being used for construction delivery or access.
- Be 44 inches wide and 30 inches high, have letters at least 1 inch (25 mm) high, have white letters on a blue background, and be made of a durable and weatherproof material such as vinyl, plastic, or aluminum that is flame retardant.
Staying Compliant with Local Law 196
Employers must ensure that your jobsite is in compliance with Local Law 196 to avoid penalties and fines. Now that Local Law 196 is in effect, the NYC DOB will be conducting inspections at random. If the DOB discovers untrained workers at construction site, it will issue a violation with civil penalties, as much as $5,000 per untrained worker. If the DOB discovers that there is no log maintained demonstrating that all workers on the site are trained, penalties are $2,500 for each recorded violation.
Employers should avoid costly fines by ensuring that all of their workers have the proper training. In addition, employers should ensure that workers are fully outfitted with the proper safety equipment that is needed to perform their job in a safe manner. This equipment includes:
Stay Complaint with Help from SSU
Safety Supplies Unlimited can provide assistance with Local Law 196 compliance through our training center, TSC Training Academy. TSCTA can provide workers with the site safety training that is needed to be complaint with Local Law 196. Safety Supplies Unlimited provides safety signage that is needed on construction sites, including LL196 worker information signs. We also provide the personal protective equipment that your workers need to be safe on the job. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you be complaint with Local Law 196.