New York, NY —

REPORTER: At a hearing yesterday, DOB head Patricia Lancaster asked members of the city council to pass legislation that would require all general contractors to register with the agency before receiving a building permit.

The city says construction accidents at high rise buildings more than doubled between 2006 and 2007. And in 2008, 3 workers have already died on the job.

Councilman Tony Avella criticized Lancaster for moving to slowly to reverse the trend.

AVELLA: I am absolutely disgusted that we're here again basically to hear the same stuff over and over again. More people are dying on construction sites and illegal construction in this city is out of control.

REPORTER: Some council members defended Lancaster and said the agency is slowly turning around.

Avella wants the DOB to do more to punish builders who ignore orders to stop work at sites considered problematic or unsafe.