The Big Apple’s crane regulations trump OSHA’s, according to a recent ruling by the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which upheld a lower court ruling.

The ruling sided against an appeal by the Steel Institute of New York, a trade group representing construction contractors. The industry claimed that federal regulations trump city regulations, and industry shouldn't be subject to two sets of competing rules designed for the same purpose. The court disagreed, concluding that while OSHA regulations protect workers, the primary purpose and effect of the city regulations are to protect public safety.

New York revised its safety rules on cranes after a series of accidents, including one on March 15, 2008 that killed seven people when a 22-story crane fell at a high-rise construction site on the east side of Manhattan.

For more information, read the court's decision (PDF*).