The city's Department of Buildings, embattled as of late thanks to the recent crane collapse and other construction-site mishaps, has tightened up crane protocol. According to an announcement last evening, a building inspector must now be on site "whenever a tower crane is raised or lowered in New York City, to ensure safe practices are being employed by those operating the crane." Other requirements include written instructions given to on-site operators; confirmation from the "engineer of record" that the cranes were inspected and built according to standards, and safety powwows among everyone who handles the crane, which a DoB inspector must attend. Reached by e-mail, a DoB spokesperson said the new rules will be in place "until further notice." — S. Jhoanna Robledo