Construction workers have some of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. No matter the height, working on scaffoldings can be life-threatening for any construction worker, and scaffolding accidents can often result in fatalities. If you or a loved one has been involved in a scaffolding accident, contact consultants and get legal help today.
What are the most common causes of scaffolding falls?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that more than 85% of scaffolding falls happen during construction. The most common factors that contribute to scaffolding accidents are:
- Not implementing a fall protection program
- Unstable work surfaces
- Working alone from heights during off hours
- Failure to train workers in identifying, understanding, and controlling risks
- Failure to lock wheels before mounting work platforms
- Failure to use guardrails
- Improper use, selection, or construction of scaffolds
- Lack of fall protection or fall arrest systems
- Worker inexperience
How can construction companies prevent scaffolding falls?
The CDC offers a checklist for construction companies to minimize hazards and avoid scaffolding falls. Some ways to prevent scaffolding falls are:
- All workers should be trained on how to properly set up scaffolding and be assigned the task of supervision.
- Scaffoldings should only be set up on stable grounds and surfaces.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s standards and manufacturer’s guidelines should always be followed when setting up scaffolding.
- Guardrails or fall arrest systems should be implemented whenever a scaffolding is more than 10 feet off the ground.
- Individual scaffolding parts should always be inspected thoroughly before setting up the scaffolding.
- The scaffolding should always be fully planked and secured, and the wheels on the mobile scaffold should be locked.
- Workers should have safe access to get on and off the scaffolding.
What kind of injuries can scaffolding accidents cause?
Since scaffolding accidents involve workers falling from a height, they almost always involve serious injuries. Moreover, materials or equipment on the scaffolding can cause injuries to the people below it. Some of the common types of injuries people face in scaffolding accidents are:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial fractures
- Severe lacerations
- Crush injuries
- Accidental amputations
Get help from a legal professional today.
Do not stay silent if you or a loved one has been injured in a scaffolding accident or if a loved one has been killed due to a construction accident. Schedule a consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney and determine your legal options and protect your rights.
