Scaffolding accidents on construction sites are one of the most common reasons for Workers' Compensation claims. Additionally, scaffolding provides an increased risk for fatalities on construction sites. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 88 deaths occurs each year due to scaffolding accidents.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has strict provisions in place for scaffolding use, but construction companies more concerned with producing quick results than ensuring the safety of their workers all too often try to work around these regulations.
Requirements for Scaffolding Safety
Depending on the size of the scaffolding, OSHA requires that:
• Scaffolding be moved, constructed, and altered by a competent person who has had significant training in the erection of scaffolding
• A frame must be able to support four times its weight
• Guard rails be used to block access to areas where the plank extension over the end support is less than 12 inches
• Horizontal securement and vertical tie-ins be in place every 20 feet
• The use of ties, bracers, and outriggers
• The space between scaffolding planks not exceed one inch.
A full list of OSHA's requirements can be found ?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9720" here . Most scaffolding accidents are caused by not following OSHA's requirements.
Causes of Scaffolding Accidents
When the safety requirements put in place by OSHA are not followed, injuries can easily follow. The most common causes of scaffolding accidents are:
• Improper inspection of the scaffolding
• Improper construction of the scaffolding
• Inadequate securing of the scaffolding deck
• Inadequate guard rails, toe boards, screens, and safety netting
These oversights can lead to injuries from slipping and falling off the scaffolding, to being hit by falling debris. Sadly, these injuries would be avoidable if only proper safety regulations had been followed.
Determining Liability
In almost all scaffolding accidents the employer's Workers' Compensation insurance will cover some of the losses. In many cases, however, you have the right to seek damages from the parties responsible for the construction and safety measures on the site. Determining fault can be complicated as it involves the people responsible for the construction of the scaffolding as well as their direct supervisors and those who oversee safety on the site. Having an experienced construction accident attorney on your side can make the difference between the average Workers' Compensation coverage and full coverage for all injuries sustained.
