NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Following a 4.8 magnitude earthquake that shook New York City on Friday morning, the Department of Buildings told all property owners, contractors and crane operators to inspect their buildings, construction sites and equipment to ensure safety.
In a release, the DOB reminded these professionals that they have a “legal responsibility to keep their sites in a safe and code compliant condition.”
Upon inspection, contractors are instructed to report suspended and supported scaffolding, hoists or other building appurtenances that may have come loose during the earthquake to the DOB.
“Structures that have been subject to deferred maintenance or are in delicate condition could be at greater risk,” the DOB wrote.
Experts say that the age of New York City buildings could pose more of a risk when considering potential damage from an earthquake.
“We have a lot of really, really old buildings that were not built to withstand shaking,” Chair of the Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability at Hofstra University Dr. J Bret Bennington told 1010 WINS.
“Our infrastructure is in more danger from an earthquake than infrastructure on the west coast. So it’s a good thing that we have smaller earthquakes,” he said.
The DOB will be adding extra engineering inspections this weekend in order to respond to reports of building damage.
The department will also perform random checks on construction sites around the city, and if sites are found to be out of compliance, will take immediate action including issuing violations and Stop Work Orders.
New Yorkers are encouraged to call 311 to report non-compliant conditions or 911 to report emergencies at construction sites, emergencies at buildings or if they suspect a building or property has been structurally compromised.