Since December 21, 2022, Philadelphia contractors must provide Tower Crane Operators with breaks. The law requires the following:

• Tower Crane Contractors must require Tower Crane Operators to descend and then take a 30 minute break every 4 hours.
• Tower Crane Contractors must allow Tower Crane Operators to access sanitary facilities upon request
• Tower Crane Contractors must notify Tower Crane Operators of their rights under this law and how to file a complaint

Contractors must keep compliance records for two years, including proof that Tower Crane Operators were required to descend after four hours operating a tower crane and were provided with a 30-minute break, proof that Tower Crane Operators were allowed to access sanitary facilities upon request, and proof that they were notified of their rights and how to file a complaint.

It is illegal to interfere with, restrain or deny the exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any right protected under this requirement.

Contact us about this law

Tower Crane Operators can file a complaint about violations with the Department of Labor by completing the Tower Crane Break complaint form below and emailing it to workerprotection@phila.gov or calling (215) 686-0802. You can also file a lawsuit in court.

Contractors can contact the Office of Worker Protections in the Department of Labor for compliance assistance. For more information or to ask questions, email  workerprotection@phila.gov or call (215) 686-0802. Language access is available.