LiMandri, who was named acting commissioner in April 2008, is responsible for setting local construction standards, enforcing the Building Code and Zoning Resolution, and regulating the New York City construction industry, and he told attendees that he plans to do just that. He explained that in two weeks time, there will be new construction codes revealed, which he said will include new proposals on crane safety. The centerpiece of the agenda will focus on the highest-risk construction operations, he said.

"We are in the midst of an historic building boom," he said, "but make no mistake that our number one priority is construction safety and enforcement. I will not tolerate unethical behavior."

The DOB has been under scrutiny in the past few months with questions over inspections due to recent crane accidents in March at East 51st Street and Second Avenue, which killed seven, and only a few weeks ago, at First Avenue and East 91st Street, which killed two. James Delayo, the City's assistant chief crane inspector with the DOB, was recently arrested and charged with taking bribes to allow cranes under his review to pass inspection and for collecting money from a crane company that sought to ensure that its employees would pass the required licensing exam, authorities said.