Brookhaven Requires Increased Training For Job Sites Over 35K Sq. Feet

FARMINGVILLE, NY — Brookhaven lawmakers recently approved a measure requiring all workers to have an Occupational Safety and Health Administration level 30 certification at construction projects over 35,000 square feet, as well as a safety supervisor on site.

The measure, which was passed on Feb. 22, is to ensure accountability and increased safety standards on complex projects.

The law requires construction permit holders for large sites to ensure general contractors and subcontractors have a trained workforce, and that proof of each worker’s OSHA 30 certification will be documented and available upon the town’s request.

Failure to comply with the law can result in fines of $1,000 and up to $10,000 for each day violations are found.

Qualified third-party safety persons or entities that can provide certifications are permitted to be used to confirm compliance with the requirements.

Construction projects represent an estimated 25 percent of all workplace fatalities nationwide, and in New York, annual statistics show workers are killed once every six days on sites, officials said.

Supervisor Dan Panico said the announcement marks the culmination of talks between Brookhaven officials, the development community, and labor.

"It is proof that an effective thoughtful compromise can be struck when people sit down and talk to each other as opposed to at each other," he said. "I thank everyone involved in bringing us to this day, where the Town Board is expected to pass this law this evening at our public hearing.”

Laborers Local 66 Vice President Vinny Alu, a certified OSHA instructor, noted that "safety is first and foremost the number one priority" for the members he represents.

"Far too many workers are killed on construction sites simply because they are not provided the necessary safety training to do the job safely," he said. "An OSHA 30 certification is the minimum training any worker should be required to have before entering a dangerous construction site."

He credited the Long Island Builders Institute and Panico for working with the union "to address workplace safety."

"This will undoubtedly save lives," he said.

LIBI Chief Executive Officer Mike Florio said the agreement establishes a baseline standard for all construction projects.

"Our goal is to see this standard adopted from one end of Long Island to the other, which will raise the floor for worker training and safety," he said.

Matthew Aracich, president of the Nassau-Suffolk Building and Construction Trades Council, noted how organized labor began with a focus on safety for workers on the job site.

“Today's announcement has strengthened the core of those labor standards for the Long Island workforce," he said. "I commend the efforts of Laborers Local 66 and the Town of Brookhaven to adopt this policy for all job sites. Having an alignment with representatives of the Long Island Builders Institute and Association for Better Long Island means the Building Trades Council and
affiliates care equally about workers' interests.”

Ryan Stanton, executive director of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, applauded the town for the measure.

"The importance and value of a uniform safety standard on construction sites across Long Island cannot be overstated," he said. "The construction industry is dangerous by nature, and the requirement of an OSHA30 training standard is vital to ensuring all workers get to return home to their families at the end of the day. It’s been nothing short of amazing working in collaboration with our affiliates, contractors, development community, and local elected officials to deliver a safety policy that we all agree on and are excited about.”