Scaffolding Accident Attorney
With an estimated 65% of construction industry employees working regularly
on scaffolds, it is not hard to understand why so many scaffolding accidents
occur every year. Annually, at least 10,000 injuries in the construction
industry can be attributed to scaffolding-related causes. These accidents
are usually the result of defective scaffolding and negligent assembly
or maintenance. It is estimated that taking proper precautions to protect
workers from scaffolding accidents would save at least 50 worker lives
every year. OSHA has had standards for scaffolding in place since its
inception in 1971. Over the years, there have been modifications to the
standards to increase protection of workers.
What commonly causes scaffolding accidents?
Slippage of planks resulting from improper assembly of scaffolding has
been found to be a significant factor in scaffolding accidents. Too often,
workers are unaware of the proper procedure for assembling scaffolds and
for installing and inspecting work platforms before they begin using them.
OSHA estimates that close to 25% of workers have no access to safety training
for these important activities. The result is that the scaffolding is
defective or poorly installed.
Workers standing on scaffolding may not have access to adequate safeguards.
For instance, a scaffold that is not properly equipped with a safety guardrail
exposes worker to falls and injuries. In extreme cases, scaffolding can
collapse, leading to severe injuries and fatalities of workers on the
scaffolding and on the ground. Scaffold collapses can occur when scaffolds
are overloaded with stacks of cement and bricks, a hoist, or other loads.
Worse still, scaffold collapses can trap workers under several stories
of debris, hampering rescue efforts, and delaying critical medical care.
Ways to Prevent Scaffolding Accidents
OSHA has set standards for the physical construction and maintenance of scaffolds.
Employees are required to comply with regulations relating to balance,
tipping resistance, and the support capacity of suspension ropes used.
There are regulations that restrict the stall load of hoists, specify
proper planking and docking of platforms, and require erection of guardrails
and platforms, and walkways of specific dimensions. Personal fall protection
systems must also be in place.
All scaffolding must be supervised, inspected, and approved by a qualified
engineer before workers are allowed to use it. Scaffolds must also be
inspected after any incident that could hamper its structural integrity.
Any component of the scaffold that has been damaged must be replaced or
removed from service and repaired immediately. Scaffold construction must
follow OSHA regulations relating to the presence of nearby energized power lines.
Lawyers Handling Scaffolding Accident Claims Nationwide
Our legal team at Arnold & Itkin LLP is prepared to take on
personal injury claims involving
industrial accidents nationwide. With the experience of a heavyweight, we have been able to
recover billions of dollars on behalf of our clients. If you would like
to talk to an
industrial injury lawyer from our legal team, we encourage you to give us a call today. We know
how difficult it is to face a claim of this nature, and we are prepared
to do everything that we can to help you fight for the
monetary compensation that you need to get your life on track once more. So what do you have
to lose? We work on a contingency fee basis meaning that if we aren't
successful in your claim, you won't pay us a dime.
Don't hesitate.
Contact a scaffolding accident lawyer from our firm to discuss your potential claim.