3 Possible Causes Of Scaffolding Accidents

Working in construction puts people in some dangerous situations. Construction workers work high off the ground, with heavy machinery and sometimes without a stable foundation beneath them. To account for these hazards, workers often rely on things like temporary structures, like scaffolding. In fact, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, nearly two-thirds of the 2.3 million people working in construction work on scaffolds.

However, scaffolding is not without its flaws. Because it is a temporary structure, it is not as sturdy or protective as buildings are. With all this in mind, we urge readers of this blog to be aware of the common accidents that happen on scaffolds and what to do in the event of an accident.

• Collapses: If scaffolding is not erected properly and with the proper materials, it can collapse. When it collapses, scaffolding can crush and otherwise seriously injure workers on and underneath the structure.
• Falls: Workers can and do fall from scaffolding. They can also be hit by objects falling off or onto scaffolding platforms where people are working. Fall-related accidents are among the most common on construction sites.
• Tipping over: High winds can make scaffolding unstable and vulnerable to tipping over. Because of this, workers should not perform work on scaffolding when it is extremely windy. It is also crucial to ensure scaffolding is properly secured in advance of high winds.

In some cases, scaffolding accidents are just that: accidents. They are no one’s fault and they could not have been prevented. In other cases, however, they can be prevented with reasonable care, proper safety equipment and compliance with safety regulations.

Should you or your loved one get injured or killed in a scaffolding accident, remember that you do have legal options to pursue compensation to help cover the various damages associated with the accident. These legal options include workers compensation claims, negligence claims, and even wrongful death claims.