New York City officials marked the start of Construction Safety Week with the release of a new report showing a sharp decline in construction-related injuries, even as fatalities increased compared with recent years.
According to the Department of Buildings’ 2025 Construction Safety Report, injuries at construction sites dropped 33 percent to 320 cases, the lowest level in recent history. The report also recorded 10 fatalities, up from seven the previous year, highlighting ongoing risks in the industry. It further noted that more than 30 percent of enforcement inspections are now conducted proactively before complaints or incidents are reported.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized the administration’s focus on worker protection. “Every worker who helps build or maintain New York City should come home safely at night,” he stated, adding that officials will be inspecting job sites and reinforcing training requirements throughout the week.
Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani pointed to stronger enforcement as a key factor behind the decline in injuries. “Working closely with our industry partners, we are continuing to see important progress in making our building construction work sites safer,” he said, while also highlighting new mental health training initiatives for workers.
The city is introducing a requirement that construction workers complete mental health and wellness training as part of the Site Safety Training program. Officials cited industry data showing high rates of substance abuse and mental health challenges among construction workers.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. underscored the importance of safety efforts, noting that workers “deserve to do that critical work safely” and return home to their families each day.
Industry leaders also responded to the findings. Real Estate Board of New York President James Whelan stated that the report reflects progress when “workers, contractors, owners, and the City are aligned in delivering projects for New Yorkers,” while emphasizing the need for continued investment in safety training.
At the same time, labor representatives warned against complacency. Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, emphasized that “the unfortunate increase in fatalities still underscores the need to prioritize comprehensive safety measures across all job sites.”
City officials said Construction Safety Week events will include site visits, safety demonstrations, and outreach efforts aimed at reinforcing best practices and reducing preventable injuries across the five boroughs.
