Local Law 196 is now here! Make sure you are in compliance to avoid fines and penalties. There are some things that supervisors should keep in mind now that Local Law 196 is in effect.
Important Training Reminders
As of December 1, 2019, supervisors must have 62 hours of training and a supervisor SST card. Supervisors also need to ensure that workers on their jobsites meet the training requirements of Local Law 196. Workers need 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. After December 1st, employers need to ensure that workers and supervisors on their jobsites have valid proof of site safety training. If workers do not meet the requirements, they are not allowed to enter the jobsite.
Worker Information Signs
On all NYC construction sites where site safety training is required, worker information signs must be posted. 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 Within Compliance and Avoiding Fines
You 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.
To avoid costly fines supervisors should:
- Ensure that all workers present have acceptable proof of training
- Maintain a log that demonstrates the training of all workers on the jobsite
- Post worker information signs
TSC Provides Assistance with Local Law 196
Need assistance with Local Law 196 compliance? TSC Training Academy can provide supervisors and workers with the site safety training that is needed to be complaint with Local Law 196. We can help you navigate this law to avoid fines and penalties. To learn more about how we can help, contact us today!