The New York City Department of Buildings has released a new guidance document intended to provide local construction employers and workers with insight regarding why a stop-work order may be issued at a job site, according to sunnewsreport.com.
Stop-work authority permits any employee at any level to halt a job or task when a hazardous situation appears imminent. Although it is not mandatory, safety professionals insist on its use.
The guide features a description of the conditions for a stop-work order, applicable laws, and whether a partial or full stop-work order is required.
The New York City Department of Buildings states all work must stop when an adjoining property is “significantly damaged”; a worker or member of the public is injured; or material/debris falls outside property lines and onto a public area.
A 2015 International Risk Management Institute article described reasons workers may hesitate when they see a potentially dangerous situation, such as assuming they do not have the authority to get involved; believing action is not necessary if other workers in the area are not taking action; and being afraid of alienating a co-worker by calling attention to an unsafe situation.
