NYC Strengthens Crane Safety Regulations After 2023 Manhattan Collapse

Following the July 26, 2023, tower crane collapse at 550 10th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) has implemented significant policy and safety changes aimed at preventing similar incidents. The collapse, caused by a disconnected hydraulic fuel hose that led to a fire on the crane deck, prompted a multi-year investigation by DOB, the NYC Department of Investigation (DOI) and engineering consultants from Gilsanz Murray Steficek.

“Today, we take an important step to strengthen safety for all New Yorkers and those who work on our construction sites,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeff Roth. “The crane collapse at 550 10th Avenue is a stark reminder of the need for constant vigilance and improvement in our safety standards. This investigation — conducted in partnership with the NYC Department of Investigation and leading engineering experts — offers critical lessons to help prevent future incidents and informs new fire safety requirements for tower cranes citywide. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability and the well-being of our communities.”

New Fire Safety Requirements

In response to the investigation’s findings, DOB mandated citywide fire safety upgrades for diesel-powered tower cranes. Key measures include:

• Installation of fire detection and suppression systems in the engine compartments of cranes.
• Enhanced hydraulic leak inspection protocols to prevent fuel mist from contacting hot surfaces.
• Additional fire extinguishers positioned near the crane cab for immediate response.

The requirements follow recommendations issued by crane manufacturer Favelle Favco after similar incidents in Australia in 2012 and 2016, which had not previously been implemented at the Midtown site.

Strengthened Licensing and Oversight

DOB also introduced new rules for personnel operating cranes and smaller hoisting devices:

• Lift Directors: A construction professional now must be on-site whenever cranes are moved, raised, lowered or used for lifting operations. Registration and experience requirements for these directors have been tightened to ensure qualified supervision.
• Smaller Hoisting Devices: Knuckle boom trucks, minicranes, telehandlers and other lifts rated at 2,000 pounds or more now must be operated by DOB-licensed professionals with at least 3,000 hours of experience and appropriate industry certifications.

“These changes reflect a proactive approach to crane safety and a commitment to reducing risk for operators and the public,” said DOB Commissioner Jimmy Oddo. “With the efforts of our investigation team, we now know why this incident happened, and we have already implemented new changes to help prevent it from happening again.”

Ongoing Oversight and Industry Engagement

The investigation and resulting policy updates are part of DOB’s broader strategy to continually assess and improve construction safety standards across New York City. DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber emphasized the importance of compliance with these updated safety protocols:

“The in-depth investigation leading to today’s Report provides critical transparency with respect to the causes of the significant crane fire and collapse in Midtown Manhattan in 2023,” Strauber said. “The investigation’s findings already have resulted in improved crane safety protocols to better protect operators and the public. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in the fire and the collapse, but these events highlight the importance of compliance with robust safety protocols. DOI will continue to work in partnership with DOB to enhance construction safety in New York City.”

DOB will continue collaborating with city officials, crane manufacturers and industry partners to monitor the effectiveness of these changes and identify further improvements.