New York Workplace Safety Requirements (2026)

New York operates under Federal OSHA for private sector workers. But New York City has some of the strictest local construction safety laws in the country. If you work in NYC construction, you need to know Local Law 196 and its OSHA training mandates.

New York also runs the Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) program, which covers state and local government workers under state OSHA-equivalent standards.

NYC Local Law 196: The OSHA Card Mandate

Local Law 196 of 2017 is the most significant local construction safety law in the United States. It requires OSHA training for all workers and supervisors on NYC construction sites.

Who it covers: All workers on construction sites requiring a Construction Superintendent, Site Safety Coordinator, or Site Safety Manager (generally projects with more than 10 stories or specific DOB permits).

What it requires:

• All workers must hold an OSHA 10 Construction card (minimum) plus an additional site safety training card (SST card)
• Supervisors must hold an OSHA 30 Construction card plus an additional SST supervisor card
• Workers must complete site-specific orientation at each site
• Training must be current and documented

SST Card Requirements:

• Workers need a minimum of 40 hours of safety training (including the OSHA 10)
• Supervisors need a minimum of 62 hours of safety training (including the OSHA 30)
• Training must include topics specific to the work being performed
• Limited SST cards are available for workers who have completed less than 40 hours but have at least the OSHA 10

Enforcement: The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) enforces Local Law 196. Workers found on site without proper SST cards can be removed. Contractors face violations and potential stop-work orders.

This law was passed after a series of construction fatalities in NYC. It’s the reason NYC has the strictest construction safety training requirements of any U.S. city.

Beyond NYC: Statewide Requirements

Outside of New York City, the state doesn’t mandate OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards. However:

• Federal OSHA regulations apply to all private sector workplaces
• PESH covers public sector workers under standards equivalent to federal OSHA
• Many large general contractors across the state require OSHA cards regardless of location
• New York has its own industrial code regulations that supplement federal OSHA in some areas

New York PESH (Public Employee Safety and Health) is a state-run program covering approximately 1.1 million public sector employees (state, county, municipal, school district workers). PESH enforces standards equivalent to federal OSHA for public sector workers. This is notable because in states without any state plan, public sector workers have no OSHA coverage.

Key Industries

New York’s diverse economy creates safety demand across multiple sectors:

Construction NYC is the largest construction market in the Northeast. Major commercial, residential, and infrastructure projects. The $30 billion+ MTA capital program creates steady demand for safety professionals on transit projects. Upstate New York also has significant construction activity, especially in Buffalo and Albany.

Healthcare New York has more hospitals than any state except California and Texas. Healthcare worker safety (bloodborne pathogens, workplace violence, ergonomics) is a growing focus.

Manufacturing Concentrated in upstate New York. Food processing, electronics, and aerospace manufacturing around Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo.

Transportation and warehousing JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark (technically NJ) airports, plus the Port of New York/New Jersey, create significant transportation safety demand. Amazon and other logistics companies have major warehouse operations in the state.

Utilities Con Edison, National Grid, and other utilities employ safety professionals for electrical, gas, and underground work.

Safety Professional Salary in New York

Level	Salary Range
Entry-level	$58,000 - $70,000
Mid-career	$70,000 - $90,000
Experienced	$90,000 - $115,000
Senior / Director	$115,000 - $155,000+

New York City metro area: $95,000+ mean salary. NYC construction safety managers with CSP credentials often earn $130,000-$160,000.

Upstate New York: Salaries run 15-25% lower than NYC but cost of living is dramatically lower.

New York has a state income tax (up to 10.9%) and NYC adds a city income tax (up to 3.876%). Factor these into salary comparisons with states like Texas and Florida. See Safety Salary by State.

State-Specific Regulations

Scaffold Safety (Industrial Code Rule 23) New York has specific scaffold regulations beyond federal OSHA requirements. These cover hanging scaffolds, outrigger scaffolds, and working platforms.

Crane and Derrick Safety NYC has a separate crane licensing and inspection program through the DOB. NYC crane operators need a city-issued license in addition to national certification.

Asbestos New York requires licensing through the NYS Department of Labor for asbestos handling, project monitoring, and abatement. NYC has additional notification requirements through the DEP.

Lead New York City’s Local Law 1 (and subsequent amendments) has strict requirements for lead paint in residential buildings. Contractors doing lead abatement work need EPA and NYS certification.

Workplace Violence Prevention New York enacted the Retail Worker Safety Act requiring retail employers to develop workplace violence prevention policies and provide training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need OSHA 10 to work construction in New York? In New York City, yes. Local Law 196 requires an OSHA 10 Construction card (at minimum) for all workers on covered construction sites. Outside NYC, it’s not required by state law, but most general contractors require it anyway.

What is an SST card? The Site Safety Training (SST) card is required by NYC Local Law 196. It’s issued after completing 40 hours of safety training (for workers) or 62 hours (for supervisors). The OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 counts toward the total hours. You get the SST card through an NYC DOB-approved training provider.

Does New York have a state OSHA program? Partially. New York runs PESH (Public Employee Safety and Health) covering state and local government workers. Private sector workers are covered by Federal OSHA. New York is not a full state plan state.

Is NYC construction safety stricter than the rest of the state? Significantly. NYC has Local Law 196 (training mandates), its own crane licensing program, additional scaffold regulations, and more frequent inspections through the DOB. Working in NYC construction requires more training and documentation than anywhere else in the state.