When working with scaffolding on the construction site is fairly safe, provided all the safety guidelines are observed, builders and construction firms often place their workers in danger risk. According to the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) (OSHA) the failure to adhere to the standard rules for scaffolding is considered to be the third most frequent safety violation at construction sites. 70% of scaffolding incidents have causes that can be avoided.
Scaffolding accidents typically involve falls by people due to improper working procedures, environmental conditions and falling material because of equipment failure. Some of the most significant causes of scaffolding accidents are inadequate or insufficient on-the-job training. Incorrect construction or work regulations. Inadequate fall protection.
Falls from high places, such as scaffolding, make up that industry’s “Fatal Four”” According to Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Actually falling is the most common reason for deaths in accidents involving construction.
We are Riddle & Brantley, our North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers assist victims of injuries from Raleigh, Jacksonville, Goldsboro, Kinston, and throughout Eastern North Carolina pursue the benefits they are entitled to following serious scaffolding-related accidents at work.
Scaffolding is an interim method of support structure that allows employees to attain the necessary levels while building, maintaining or repairing existing structures.
On the other the other hand, scaffolding is able to provide a comfortable and secure working arrangements as opposed to climbing ladders, leaning on edges or reaching across the sky. On the other hand, working from a height can be dangerous and working on scaffolds adds the dangers associated with it, especially when safety rules are not followed. Scaffolding accidents typically involve falling, unsafe working procedures, environmental conditions and falling material due to equipment malfunction.
Some of the most significant causes of scaffolding accidents are:
Lack of or insufficient education or
Work rules or construction that are not properly followed
Inadequate fall protection
In disregarding safety regulations
Planking that is weak
Problems with attachment points, part failure
Bracing that is insecure or not present
Defective equipment
Changes in the environmental condition (extreme temperatures or high winds, the presence of harmful gases)
Furthermore, major failure of scaffolds is caused by overloading of scaffolding. The people who are at risk from scaffolding include scaffold erectors and dismantlers employees working on scaffolds employees, and anyone else who is around scaffolding. Scaffolders and scaffolders are especially at risk because they are on scaffolds prior to platforms, guardrails, ladders and planks have been put in place.
Employers are able to lose nearly $90 million in the loss of work days as a result of scaffold injuries and accidents each year.
These numbers show how vital it is for both employers and employees to consider the safety of workers seriously.
Common causes of scaffolding accidents
According to a new BLS study 72% of scaffolding accidents can be blamed on one of the three factors:
Planking or scaffolding is unable to hold its shape due to malfunctioning equipment or incorrect assembly
Falls or slips while on scaffolds due to reasons like slippery surfaces or insufficient guardrails
The falling objects can strike the workers on a scaffold or those below
In the case of the remaining 28%, scaffolding accidents can result from:
Scaffolding is commonly used in repair, construction, and maintenance settings to allow workers to climb heights that they might not otherwise be able to reach and/or in areas where ladder use is not practical or even feasible. Unfortunately, accidents in construction involving scaffolding are fairly commonplace and can cause severe injuries or even death of the workers or bystanders.
If you or someone you love is injured or died been caused by an accident involving scaffolding you could be eligible for compensation for the injuries you sustained. Get in touch with an New Jersey personal injury attorney to ensure that your case can be assessed. Personal injury attorneys of Clark Law Firm, P.C. Clark Law Firm, P.C. have experience in dealing with personal injury cases involving scaffolding-related accidents.
The types and causes of construction Scaffolding-related accidents
Scaffolds are generally temporary structures made from lumber or steel. They typically constructed for a specific reason and only for a certain amount of duration. The construction of scaffolding may vary widely from basic to extremely complicated structures, based on its purpose, function and the height. Because scaffolding is utilized in a temporary manner and is often assembled in a hurry the scaffolding is usually poorly constructed, putting people and passersby at risk. Many thousands of painting workers, construction workers, window cleaners and maintenance workers use scaffolds on a regularly. They are at a high danger of injury to themselves or even death if they use unsafe scaffolding, which was constructed in a negligent manner and incorrectly built.
Common scaffolding-related accidents typically involve collapse of the scaffold or falling objects off the scaffold. Most scaffold workers use some sort of equipment when they are at the top of their scaffolds, including paint and other related materials and tools like hammers, screw drivers , or drills, and the window cleaners. Alongside the workers who are on the scaffold that is collapsing being injured, people who are on the ground and walking through could be injured by the scaffold, or by other objects that fall. The causes of scaffolding accidents can vary, but they could include: