OSHA is taking new steps to fight the rise in construction fatalities in New York City, where 20 employees have died in construction-related accidents since January.

Late last month, OSHA brought a dozen additional inspectors into the city to conduct proactive inspections of high-rise construction sites, cranes, and other places where fatalities and serous accidents have been occurring.

Ongoing inspections have continued under local emphasis programs, or as a result of complaints, referrals, or accidents.

The agency says it will review all inspection findings and determine what other steps might be necessary to address what it calls "a deadly trend."

"There is no one-among regulators, employers, employees, unions, and trade associations-who will accept these lost lives as the byproduct of work in a dangerous industry," said Acting OSHA Regional Administrator Louis Ricca Jr. "We must all commit to maintaining safety as the number-one job priority each and every day," he added.

In addition to enforcement activities, OSHA says it is pursuing other measures to advance construction safety. Since May, the agency has been sending copies of violation citations issued to employers on city construction sites to the employers' insurance or workers' compensation carriers, and to project owners and developers.

The idea is to raise awareness of job hazards. Also, citations involving training violations at union sites will be sent to the unions representing the workers.