On any given day, Sacramento residents are bound to see scaffolding on the side of a building. Whether a building is new construction, in need of repair, or receiving much-needed renovations, scaffolding is essential to getting the job done right. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that 4,500 injuries and 50 fatalities occur due to scaffolding-related accidents each year. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lists scaffolding as one of the top three standards violations.
With an estimated 2.3 million construction workers who work on scaffolding, it’s no surprise we receive many scaffolding cases related to personal injury and workers’ compensation. Below is a list of the top five scaffolding mistakes made in construction zones. With a little bit of research and following a few precautionary measures, most scaffolding accidents can be avoided.
- Lack of Proper Fall Protection: Fall protection comes in many forms. It includes preventative measures like wearing a hard hat and non-slip shoes. It also means avoiding work on windy days and on scaffolds that are covered in ice or snow. Additionally, fall protection includes following the OSHA requirement of installing fall protection that is 10 feet or more above the lower level. Many construction sites cut corners and do not follow these simple protocols. Poor decisions by construction workers coupled with improper fall protection can lead to devastating results.
- Falling Objects: Tools, materials, and debris fall from scaffolding occasionally. If proper protection is in place, it’s not typically a problem. Proper protection includes OSHA-approved guardrails and toe boards. Safety nets, hard hats for workers on lower levels and under the scaffolding, and platforms clear of debris and excess materials are other simple precautions that can prevent injury and even death from falling objects.
- Building Scaffolds not up to Specifications: If the scaffold is not built to OSHA specifications, it can collapse. Training workers on the specific materials needed, the proper way to build the scaffold, and how much weight it can bear, can greatly decrease the risk of injury and death. Additionally, once the structure is in place, OSHA requires a qualified supervisor to inspect the structure, ensuring it was built properly.
- Lack of Training: All workers should be properly trained before they begin working on and around scaffolding. Those who build scaffolding should be trained as well as those who use it to access a building. Additionally, if they are not trained in the personal fall arrest systems or not aware of the hazards surrounding the area, they have a greater risk of injury and death. Training should be ongoing because OSHA standards can change.
- Lack of Attention to Electrical Risks: Electrical shock is a less common scaffolding risk, but it’s still extremely dangerous. OSHA specifically dictates the amount of clearance needed between scaffolding and power lines. Ensuring proper electrical connections and never using electrical conduits as anchoring points for fall arrest systems or scaffold components are other ways to prevent electrical accidents. Simply following these guidelines dramatically decreases the chance of an electrical injury.
“The high number of scaffolding incidents and the high number of scaffolding violations are not likely to be a coincidence. The first rule before any type of scaffold is erected and used should be to review and comply with OSHA standards every step of the way. Following it up with common sense can help pave the way for a comprehensive scaffold safety plan.” – www.edgeprotectionsolutions.com
If you’ve been injured while working on scaffolding or have questions about personal injury or workers’ compensation, please contact a Sacramento workers compensation attorney at Eason & Tambornini, ALC.
