Construction accident fatalities have become a public health epidemic that is brought on by inadequate safety regulations and public inattention. This important occupation saw an average of 20 people die on the job every year between 2007 and 2014. This number does not seem to be decreasing, but rather increasing with every year. These numbers seem to be pretty consistent throughout the country, especially in New York City where construction is booming.

For months, New York City lawmakers, real estate groups and construction workers have agreed on the need to increase safety regulations on construction sites. On September 27th, the New York City Council finally voted to change the city’s safety and training laws for construction workers.

The New York City Council introduced Int 1447-C, a safety bill that would require construction workers to participate in approximately 40 to 55 hours of training. But for months, this effort was stonewalled amid concerns that a proposal to increase safety training requirements would negatively impact nonunion laborers and minorities.