Audit: Key Fixes Never Made After Deadly NYC Crane Collapses In 2008

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York City has implemented only a number of the 65 recommendations made following two deadly crane collapses in 2008, according to an audit by the city controller's office.

Seven people died in March 2008 when a 300-foot crane collapsed on 51st Street. Two months later, a crane collapsed on 91st Street, killing two workers.

Private consultants hired by the Buildings Department made 65 recommendations after the crane accidents, and according to the audit, buildings officials had said they would implement 49 of the 65 changes within two years.

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The audit by city Comptroller Scott Stringer found only eight of the recommendations were in place. Another 17 have been partially implemented and 18 are in progress.

"The Department of Buildings spent millions of dollars on a consultant study to find ways to improve safety at construction sites and then did not act promptly to implement most of its recommendations," Stringer said in a statement. "When those cranes collapsed, so too did public confidence in how those construction sites were managed.  The lack of a strong government commitment to fix this problem is inexcusable."

The Department of Buildings said it had fully implemented 30 recommendations, 23 were partially implemented or in progress, the Daily News reported.

"These catastrophes should have been a wake-up call, but instead, the Department of Buildings seemingly lost interest--and its sense of urgency faded," Stringer said. "New Yorkers who walk past construction sites have a right to know if they're truly safe – and we shouldn't have to risk another accident to find out."

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