Accident or Incident
The word Accident is no longer used in construction trades as it implies that the unplanned events were random in nature and not preventable. To change this perception OSHA and NYC DOB adopted a new word Incident.
In the context of NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), an “incident” refers to an event at a construction or demolition site that involves injury or fatality to a worker or member of the public, or that causes damage to adjoining property. The term “incident” has replaced the word “accident” in the building codes, maintaining essentially the same meaning. Incidents include events such as worker or public fatalities, injuries requiring emergency care, material falls outside the building, and damage caused by construction or demolition activities. These incidents must be reported immediately to the DOB to ensure safety compliance and appropriate investigation or enforcement. This reporting requirement is part of Local Law 78 and the 2014 NYC Construction Codes, emphasizing transparency and accountability in construction site safety in New York City.
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This page is for general education only and is based on public New York City sources when available. Some technical and legal terms are simplified into plain English to help homeowners and ESL readers. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace guidance from a licensed professional. NYC construction and safety rules change often, and your project may have extra DOB*, OSHA*, or local requirements. Before you start work, always check current rules with a licensed design professional or directly with the NYC Department of Buildings.
If you see any capital letter abbreviations on this page or in an official letter you received from the city and you do not understand them, you can try to look them up on our NYC Violation Codes HUB page with the search tool.
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