In the wake of a shocking safety card fraud scandal that has rocked New York City’s construction industry, we turn to Brian Mittman, ESQ., a seasoned attorney with extensive experience in construction accident cases. As a partner at Markhoff & Mittman, P.C., Brian has spent decades advocating for the rights of injured workers and has a deep understanding of the crucial role that proper safety training plays in preventing workplace accidents.
When asked about the recent invalidation of 17,000 worker safety cards, Brian offered his expert insight:
“This fraudulent scheme is not just a regulatory issue – it’s a matter of life and death on construction sites. Proper safety training is the foundation of accident prevention in the construction industry. When workers are given safety cards without actually receiving the necessary training, we’re essentially sending them into potentially dangerous situations blind. This scandal underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight of training providers and more robust verification processes for safety certifications.”
Brian continued, “The repercussions of this fraud could be far-reaching. We may see an increase in workplace accidents as a result of inadequate training, and there could be significant legal implications for contractors who unknowingly employed workers with fraudulent safety cards. It’s crucial that the industry takes this wake-up call seriously and works to rebuild a culture of genuine safety, not just paper compliance.”
The Valor Consulting Indictment
At the center of this scandal is Brooklyn-based Valor Consulting, a company authorized to provide safety training and issue Site Safety Training (SST) cards to construction workers. In late February 2024, senior executives and employees of Valor were indicted in Manhattan Criminal Court on charges of selling SST cards to laborers without actually providing the required safety training.
The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) had first become suspicious of Valor’s practices in April 2023, when they noticed “major inconsistencies” in the company’s training records. This led to an immediate suspension of Valor’s ability to conduct trainings and issue new SST cards. However, the full extent of the fraud was not revealed until the recent indictment.
Massive Deactivation of Safety Cards
As a result of the criminal charges against Valor, the DOB took swift and decisive action. On April 2, 2024, approximately 20,000 SST cards issued by Valor were deactivated, with about 17,000 of those cards still being actively used by workers. This means that overnight, 17,000 construction workers were suddenly unable to work on major construction sites in New York City.
NYC Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo did not mince words in his condemnation of Valor’s alleged actions:
“The allegations made against Valor by our partners in the Manhattan DA’s office are disturbing, as they have allegedly allowed thousands of people to work on construction sites in our City without the required safety training. The actions of this company put profits ahead of the safety of these workers and the public, which is something we cannot tolerate.”
Impact on the Construction Industry
The immediate impact of this mass deactivation is significant:
- Worker Shortage: Large construction sites that require SST cards are suddenly facing a shortage of eligible workers, potentially causing project delays.
- Safety Concerns: There are now serious questions about the actual safety knowledge of workers who received cards from Valor without proper training.
- Economic Impact: Affected workers are temporarily unable to work on major projects, potentially facing financial hardship.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: The incident has raised questions about the oversight of safety training providers and the potential for fraud in the system.
Steps Forward
The DOB has outlined several steps to address this crisis:
- Worker Retraining: Affected workers are being urged to quickly obtain new SST cards from legitimate, DOB-approved course providers.
- Industry Outreach: The DOB is actively communicating with contractors and workers to ensure compliance and minimize work disruptions.
- Enhanced Verification: The use of a mobile app to scan and verify SST cards on work sites will be crucial in preventing the use of invalidated cards.
- Enforcement: Contractors who allow workers with invalid cards on site will face DOB enforcement actions.
Long-Term Implications
This incident serves as a wake-up call for the construction industry and regulatory bodies. It highlights the critical importance of:
- Rigorous vetting and ongoing monitoring of safety training providers
- Regular audits of training records and certification processes
- Strengthening the link between safety training and actual on-site safety practices
- Developing more robust systems to prevent and detect fraud in safety certifications
A Call for Industry-Wide Reflection
While the immediate focus is on addressing the current crisis, this incident should prompt a broader discussion about construction safety culture in New York City. It’s not just about having a valid SST card – it’s about fostering a genuine commitment to safety at all levels of the industry.
As the city works to resolve this immediate issue, all stakeholders – from regulators and contractors to workers and unions – must come together to rebuild trust and ensure that safety training is not just a box to be checked, but a cornerstone of construction industry practice.
The road ahead may be challenging, but it presents an opportunity to create a safer, more accountable construction industry for all New Yorkers.
Source: https://patch.com/new-york/brooklyn/20k-construction-safety-cards-deactivated-after-bk-companys-indictmen
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Markhoff & Mittman Work Accident Lawyers Yonkers, NY
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a construction accident in or around Yonkers NY, please contact our law office about a free case consultation:
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
51 Smart Ave #200A,
Yonkers, NY 10704
(914) 600-3874
