The use of scaffolding is routine in construction work. It is often safer than trying to work on a ladder, and allows for work at heights where ladders cannot be used. Unfortunately, scaffolding accidents are not uncommon and often result in serious injuries or death. Scaffolding accidents can be the result of defective scaffolding, improper assembly, or inappropriate scaffolding use. An experienced construction accident attorney can help you determine the cause, who can be held responsible, and how to proceed in seeking compensation for your scaffolding accident claims.
Common Causes of Scaffolding Accidents
Scaffolding must be properly assembled and used properly and in appropriate areas. Even when everything is done correctly and safely, defective scaffolding can fail, resulting in an accident. Common causes of scaffolding accidents include:
- Improperly assembled scaffold
- Poorly placed scaffold, such as too close to electricity or on unstable surfaces
- Defective scaffold or parts
- Old, worn-out, damaged, or poorly maintained scaffolding
- Messy or slippery scaffold surfaces
- The wrong type, size, or strength scaffolding for the job
- Improper use or poor practices while using scaffolding
- Dangerous behavior such as jumping on scaffold
- Inexperienced or undertrained workers left unsupervised on scaffold
Types of Scaffolding Accidents
Falls from great heights are the biggest concern in scaffolding accidents, but they are not the only type of accident which can occur. The majority of scaffolding injury victims are workers who fall from scaffolding, but workers and bystanders below can be injured or killed by falling materials or scaffolding which has collapsed. Examples of scaffolding accidents include:
- Total or partial collapse
- Slip/trip and fall from scaffolding
- Scaffolding which tips over
- Scaffolding which sinks due to placement on inappropriate surface
- Falls when trying to enter scaffolding from a building or equipment
- Tools, materials, or debris falling from scaffolding and hitting people below
- Electrocution or electric shock
- Equipment or vehicle colliding with scaffolding
Scaffolding Safety Regulations
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has strict safety regulations regarding the use of scaffolding and some states have additional, more stringent rules. Violations of safety regulations leading to scaffolding accidents can be the basis of a scaffolding accident lawsuit. Examples of OSHA scaffolding regulations include:
- Scaffolding must be capable of supporting at least four times the maximum weight of the intended load
- Wire or rope used to suspend scaffolding must be capable of holding at least six times the weight of the maximum load
- Scaffolding cannot be altered or moved horizontally while in use or while someone is on the scaffolding
- If people will be working under or passing under the scaffolding, a screen must be in place to prevent objects from getting knocked off the scaffolding
- Employees are not to work on scaffolding in high winds or storms
- Scaffolds are not to become messy
- Scaffolds cannot be used if there is ice or snow on the surface