January 26, 2026
NYC Mandates Construction Safety Training on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Awareness
Starting May 3, 2026, construction workers and supervisors who are required to have a Site Safety Training (‘SST’) card must complete two (2) additional credits of training on:
- Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
- Alcohol and Substance Abuse Risks
The NYC Council passed this law updating current SST training requirements as an effort to address widespread mental health struggles among construction workers.
What Changed?
This law, enacted on January 3, 2026, updates New York City’s current construction safety training requirements. It applies to any worksite where Department of Buildings’ permits require every person working on-site to hold an SST card. As a result, most major construction projects across the city must comply with this new training requirement.
Who Must Comply?
Those working on projects operating under DOB’s permits requiring 100% SST certification for on-site personnel.
- Construction Workers & Demolition Workers
- Construction Superintendents
- Site Safety Managers/Coordinators
- Concrete Safety Managers
- Journeypersons & Forepersons
- Competent Persons (designated safety supervisor), and
- Employees of DOB Licensees or Registrants.
How Do We Get Ready?
Businesses should prepare for these changes by working with DOB-Approved (SST) Course Providers to discuss implementation of the new training requirements. For questions or help about the new requirements, including updating your company documents and contracts to reflect these new compliance obligations, contact Rebecca Nathanson at rnathanson@booklawllp.com or (212) 244-0344.
