With the passing of New York City of Local Law 196 in 2017, building construction workers who are on large projects are expected to have safety training and be able to prove it.
Local Law 196 is in force now and fully phased in by 2019
The new law will be enforced in phases, beginning now and complete by 2019.
To be compliant, workers should be able to show they “have taken at least an OSHA 10 class within the previous five years to continue working,” according to NYC Building News.
By 2019, Local Law 196 will be in full force and, accordingly, for those workers at construction jobs sites requiring “a Site Safety Plan (which includes sites that must designate a Construction Superintendent, Site Safety Coordinator or Site Safety Manager) must receive a minimum of 40 hours of training,” the Building News said.
Those without training could be subject to penalties and fines, as the Department of Buildings (DOB) is enforcing the new law to ensure that those needing it get their training. As of the above-mentioned effective date of March 1, the DOB began unannounced site checks where untrained workers have been found and will target other jobs of permit holders in violation.
According to the DOB, those new to the workforce can only start work after completing the OSHA 10 training.
However, in order to continue working and within six months, they must obtain the minimum 40 hours training. Although online training done before Oct. 16, 2017 is acceptable, anything after that date must be in-person training and “actively proctored online training” to be acceptable, the DOB said.
Phasing in LL196: What you need to know:
Starting now:
Traditional online training will not be accepted. Only in-person training and actively proctored online training will be accepted.
At a minimum, all workers or supervisors must complete one of the following courses:
- OSHA 10-hour class; or
- OSHA 30-hour class; or
- A 100-hour training program approved by the DOB (such as training received through an apprenticeship program)
On December 1, 2018:
At a minimum, all workers or supervisors, at a minimum, will require the following training:
- OSHA 10-hour class and 20 additional training hours specified by the DOB. Includes 8 hours of fall protection/dangers of falling objects training, or
- OSHA 30-hour class; or
- A 100-hour training program approved by the DOB (such as training received through an apprenticeship program)
On May 1, 2019
At a minimum, all workers or supervisors, at a minimum, will require the following training:
- OSHA 10-hour class and 30-45 additional training hours specified by the DOB. Includes 8 hours of fall protection/dangers of falling objects training, or
- OSHA 30-hour class and 10-25 additional hours of fall protection/dangers of falling objects training. Includes 8 hours of fall protection/dangers of falling objects training, or
- A 100-hour training program approved by the DOB (such as training received through an apprenticeship program)
What’s the risk if you’re not trained?
- Penalties
- Fines: Permit holders must be able to certify that their workers have the training required or fines will be implemented and are $15,000 per untrained worker:
- $5,000 for the owner
- $5,000 for the permit holder
- $5,000 for the employer
- Permit holders failing to keep a log of trained workers face fines of $2,500
- Stop work orders
The Department of Buildings is planning unannounced site checks where untrained workers have been found and will target other jobs of permit holders in violation. Don’t be one of them!
Get the Training You Need for Local Law 196 compliance
The experts at TSC Training Academy (TSCTA) are able to help with all the tools you need to navigate Local Law 196, from state-of-the-art training facilities in four locations (Manhattan, the Bronx, Long Island City, Bayonne, NJ) to more than 75 additional construction and safety courses.
TSCTA has course content that is in-depth, thoroughly detailed, on point and, even more importantly, is taught in multiple languages by industry experts who are knowledgeable in everything you need to be in compliance.
The company will partner with you so that together you can get the training needed to get you back to building NYC.
For more information on Local Law 196 or on TSC Training Academy’s services, contact: info@tscta.com or 718.389.2103.