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Updates & Industry Notices

Updates

Hoisting Machine Operator License will be Required to Operate an Articulating Boom Crane, Mini Crane, or Rotating Telehandler in New York City
Beginning November 7, 2024, an HMO license issued by the Department of Buildings will be required to operate an articulating boom crane, mini crane, or rotating telehandler in New York City. New classes of limited HMO licenses for operators of articulating boom cranes, mini cranes, and rotating telehandlers have been created.

Updates to Site Safety Plan Submissions, Construction Superintendent Job Limitations, and Site Safety Release and Sidewalk Shed Removal Requests
Beginning July 15, 2022, site safety plans can be submitted before the job is approved and are no longer required for subsequent filings in DOB NOW. In addition, the Department of Buildings will not issue a permit if the Construction Superintendent designated on the permit application is already designated on five or more active permits. Requests to release site safety and remove sidewalk sheds are also required to be submitted in DOB NOW.

Demolition Submittal Document Requirements: Exemption from Plan Submission
The Department will no longer accept plan submissions for sites that are exempt from plan submission under the current Code. The exemptions are for plan submissions and not exemptions from the need to file a demolition application (DM).

Determination Review Requests: CCD1 and ZRD1 Forms Updated
CCD1 and ZRD1 forms have been updated to improve our review process. The updated forms require submittal of additional information so Determination Requests can be completed more quickly.

Alternative Safety Systems: Cocoon & Climbing Concrete Form Work
Construction Code Determination Forms (CCD1s) will no longer be required for use of typical cocoons and climbing concrete form work, provided the following conditions are met. This notice applies to alternate netting (cocoon) or climbing form work systems used in lieu of typical vertical and horizontal netting systems required by the Code, hereafter referred to as alternative systems.

Industry Notices

2025 Cranes & Derricks Holiday Weekend Inspection Schedule
The Cranes & Derricks Unit will not perform any inspections on the following holiday weekends

NCCCO Certification Revision to New York City Hoisting Machine Operator License
Recent rule changes have revised the NCCCO certifications required for each class of New York City Hoisting Machine Operator (HMO) license. Beginning November 7, 2024, New York City licensed HMOs will need to hold a relevant NCCCO certification to operate an articulating boom crane or rotating telehandler.

REQUIREMENT: Unlicensed Operation of Articulating Boom Cranes, Mini Cranes, and Rotating Telehandlers Must be Reported
Site Safety Managers, Site Safety Coordinators, and Construction Superintendents are required to report the unlicensed operation of articulating boom cranes, mini cranes, and rotating telehandlers. Recent rulemaking will require operators of articulating boom cranes, mini cranes, and rotating telehandlers to possess a NYC HMO license.

Lift Director License Type to Launch in DOB NOW: Licensing Beginning October 16, 2024
Beginning January 1, 2025, any person acting as a Lift Director or performing the duties of a Lift Director must be registered with the Department of Buildings as a Lift Director, or be licensed by DOB as a Master Rigger, or be a Master Rigging Foreman and acting as a Lift Director under the direct and continuing supervision of the Licensed Master Rigger. See NYC Administrative Code § 28-424.2.

Follow-up #1: Hoisting Machine Operator License Types to Launch
Starting Wednesday, October 16, 2024, all new Hoisting Machine Operator (HMO) license applications, renewal submissions, card re-issuance requests and changes to information will be submitted in DOB NOW: Licensing and will no longer be available in BIS Options.

New Certification & License Requirements for the Operation of a Fixed (non-rotating) Telehandler
Recent rule changes effect the operation of fixed (non-rotating) telehandlers.

Proper Attachment of Suspended Loads
Slinging loads from a fork is dangerous and illegal.

Civil Penalties for Failure to File Affirmation of Correction for 2022 and 2023 Elevator Inspection and Test Cycles
As stated in Department of Buildings Rule1 RCNY §103-02(h)(3) and (i)(3), DOB will not require owners to pay a civil penalty for failure to file by the due date an affirmation of correction for defects found during the 2022 and 2023 inspection and test cycles provided the affirmation was submitted by April 14, 2023 (for the 2022 cycle) or April 14, 2024 (for the 2023 cycle).

Violations for Failure to File Report and Failure to File Affirmation of Correction for 2023 Elevator Inspection and Test Cycles
DOB will issue violations in August 2024 for failure to file Category 1 elevator test reports and periodic inspection reports for the 2023 cycle. In addition, as provided in 1 RCNY §103-02(h)(3) and (i)(3), DOB will issue violations to owners who failed to file by April 14, 2024, an affirmation of correction for defects found during the 2023 cycle.

Request for Corner/Angle Scaffold Inspection
To request a corner/angle scaffold inspection, please send the new Corner/Angle Scaffold Inspection Request Form as per BC §3314.16.4 to CSCUAppointments@buildings.nyc.gov.

REMINDER: Concrete Safety Managers, Construction Managers, Project Managers, and Superintendents Should Maintain Best Practices to Prevent Structural Damage to Concrete During Cold Weather Placements
Cold weather concreting practices must be instituted when the average daily air temperature is less than 40° F for more than 3 consecutive days or when the air temperature is 50° F or less for more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period. To prevent concrete damage due to freezing and ensure proper mixture, follow these safeguards:

UPDATE: Traffic Control During Crawler Crane Activities
The NYC Fire Department (FDNY) and NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) will no longer be dispatched for traffic control purposes during the following crawler crane activities.

Request for Corner/Angle Scaffold Inspection
Beginning January 18, 2021, requests for an inspection of Corner/Angle Scaffolds must be submitted using a Corner/Angle Scaffold Inspection Request Form. Prior to requesting a Corner/Angle Scaffold inspection, please be sure you are prepared by satisfying the inspection requirements.

REMINDER: Property Owners and Other Responsible Parties are Required to Report Construction Site Incidents
To comply with Local Law 78 of 2017, property owners, contractors, subcontractors, or person(s) otherwise in control of a construction site must report details of an incident to the Department of Buildings within three (3) business days using the Injury/Fatality Incident Information Form. Failure to comply with this mandate may result in a $2,500 civil penalty in accordance with § 28-202.1 and §28-103.21.1 of the Administrative Code.

REQUIREMENT: Use Construction Safety Compliance Forms
Effective February 11, 2019, all BEST Squad forms have been replaced with new Construction Safety Compliance (CSC) forms. In addition, applicants are required to use the CSC Appointment Request Form for: pre-demolition inspection, demolition sign-off, Site Safety Manager/Coordinator Program removal, sidewalk shed removal, and suspended scaffold pre-use inspection.

Construction Safety Enforcement and Compliance Units
Effective August 31, 2018, the BEST Squad, Excavation/Interior Demolition and Scaffold Safety Units have been reorganized and two new units were created, the Construction Safety Compliance Unit (CSC) and the Construction Safety Enforcement Unit (CSE). The Units will work to significantly increase safety compliance monitoring at construction sites throughout the City including LL196 of 2017. Both CSE and CSC are located at 2 Lafayette Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10007.

REMINDER: Site-Specific Safety Orientations and Refreshers
Effective May 16, 2018, permit holders at sites requiring the designation of a Site Safety Manager, Site Safety Coordinator, or Construction Superintendent must ensure that each construction or demolition worker at the site receives a site safety orientation and refresher.

REMINDER: Pre-Shift Safety Meetings
Effective May 16, 2018, permit holders at sites that require the designation of a Site Safety Manager, Site Safety Coordinator, or Construction Superintendent must ensure each construction or demolition worker at the site takes part in a safety meeting at the beginning of the worker’s shift, before the worker begins any construction or demolition work in the shift.

NEW REQUIREMENT: Site Safety Plans Mandatory on All Work Scopes Requiring a Registered Construction Superintendent
Effective November 6, 2017, all jobs requiring a Registered Construction Superintendent (CS) will also require a Site Safety Plan (SSP), as per Local Law 81 of 2017. Currently, only Major Buildings require a Site Safety Plan.

Site Safety Plan (SSP): Minor Revisions
Beginning July 1, 2017, minor revisions to the approved Site Safety Plan (SSP) need not be submitted to BEST Plan Exam Unit for review and approval. Instead, the contractor (permit holder) may revise the approved SSP, highlight the revisions, and sign the plan next to each revision.

Minimum Content of Site Safety Plan Submissions
Plan formatting and naming shall be in accordance with B-Scan Requirements document published October 2010. Plan must be in accordance with Article 104 (Construction Documents) and Article 110 (Site Safety Plan) of the Administrative Code; BC 3310.3 of Chapter 33 of the Building Code.

Earthwork Notification: 811 (Call Before You Dig) One Call Ticket Number Requirement
Beginning May 1, 2017, the Department of Buildings requires Earthwork Contractors to provide the 811 (Call Before You Dig) One Call ticket number when making normal notification of the commencement of earthwork.

REMINDER: New Construction Superintendent Rule
The Department is enforcing compliance with the recently revised Construction Superintendent Rule (1 RCNY 3301-02) and May 2016 Industry Notice using random site visits and other tools at the Agency’s disposal.

REMINDER: Construction Superintendent Rule Revision Expands Scope of Work and Duties
1 RCNY 3301-02, effective May 30, 2016, expands the duties and changes the types of jobs requiring a Construction Superintendent (CS). Implementation of these changes will occur in two phases.

Minimum Content of Demolition Plan Submissions
Plan formatting and naming shall be in accordance with B-Scan Requirements document published October 2010. Plans must be in accordance with Article 104 (Construction Documents) of the Administrative Code.

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Chapter 33 of the 2014 NYC Construction Codes