Thousands of workers are injured in scaffolding accidents every year, from construction workers who lose their lives from a lack of training to those who become seriously injured after falling off a scaffold. Scaffoldings not only cause risk to the workers but also to the people who are passing by.
If you're associated with scaffolding, either as a building owner, a contractor, or just passing by, there's one thing that should always be at the forefront of your mind - safety! Moreover, you should know how to get claims if any accident happens to you or your dear one.
Causes of Scaffolding Accidents
Scaffoldings accidents can happen because of many reasons, not just failing equipment. Here are the top five causes of scaffolding accidents:
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Weather-related hazards
Weather-related hazards are a common cause of scaffolding accidents. Often, these accidents happen as workers are forced to work in bad conditions because they're under pressure to get the job done.
Wind and rain can both be dangerous to scaffolders and people nearby. When it's raining, the metal parts of the scaffolding can become very slippery and make it difficult for workers to keep their footing.
Windy conditions, meanwhile, can cause loose objects and pieces of equipment to fall from elevated positions. This can then cause severe damage to workers, pedestrians, homeowners, and bystanders.
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Poorly constructed scaffolding
Poorly constructed scaffolding is one of the prime causes of injuries and deaths. It includes a scaffolding structure assembled incorrectly, missing necessary parts, or not correctly secured.
Inadequate surface preparation and anchoring are also prominent causes. These can include problems with the ground upon which the scaffold sits, including irregularities that could cause an imbalance, and inadequate anchoring for footings to prevent it from moving.
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Overloading the scaffolding
It doesn't matter how strong a scaffold is if you overload it. Employers should ensure that employees are fully aware of the maximum capacity and weight that the scaffolding may withstand.
Scaffolding must support the weight of both workers and materials. If the structure is overloaded, it's likely to collapse. The maximum load rating needs to be posted on the scaffolding so workers know how much it can hold.
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Lack of supervision or inspection
Many of these accidents are preventable and could be avoided if the proper safety measures are taken. Often, safety measures are ignored in an attempt to save time or money. Therefore a contractor should inspect the scaffolding before the work starts.
Even after the work starts, vigilant supervision is needed. Lack of supervision or inspection is the leading cause of scaffolding-related accidents.
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Injury from falling objects
Falling objects can cause major problems if you do not take precautions to prevent the issue from happening to begin with. If you fail to secure your equipment and it falls on someone below then you could be looking at a hefty fine and compensation claim against you as well as putting lives at risk.
The use of toe boards on your scaffolding will help prevent this from happening, but make sure that everything is tied down to avoid any accidents.
How to prevent scaffolding-related accidents?
While scaffolding is often an essential part of a building process, it can also be dangerous. There are many ways that you could get injured while working on a scaffold, from falling off or having items fall on you to being hit by vehicles and other equipment.
Injuries can range from minor to life-changing or even fatal. You may want to take extra precautions if you work on a scaffold frequently or if you are responsible for training others to do so.
Here are five tips for reducing the risk of accidents when working with scaffolding:
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Make sure the scaffold is stable and secure before using it.
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Have someone else watch when working near traffic or other dangers.
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Wear personal protective equipment, including hard hats and appropriate footwear.
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Never use your hands to hold tools and materials while climbing up the scaffolding; instead, use a bucket lift or a rope and pulley system to keep your hands free for climbing.
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Never jump off of a scaffold unless there is no other option; always climb down slowly and carefully so that you will not accidentally trip and fall during the climb down.
What to do when you get injured because of a scaffolding accident?
If you have ever experienced a scaffolding accident, then you know how much time and money it may cost you. You should be compensated for your suffering, and you might also lose your job, which can affect your whole life.
Getting the compensation you deserve is one of the most important things in this situation. Being involved in a scaffolding accident can result in painful injuries, and getting back on track will be your top priority.
In this situation, hiring a lawyer is one of the best decisions that you can make. Being awarded compensation will help you pay all your bills and provide for all your needs while recovering from the accident.
Scaffolding accidents can lead to many different types of injuries, from minor ones like bruises or cuts to more serious ones like fractures or amputations of limbs. This means that the compensation will vary depending on the type and severity of injury that occurred. If you are permanently disabled due to an accident, you will need to hire a lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases.
If you are injured because of a scaffolding accident, you should do the following things:
1. File a claim with your employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you have a right to benefits.
2. Obtain medical treatment for your injuries. You should see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident to determine whether you have suffered any injuries and whether those injuries will heal on their own or require continuing treatment.
3. Preserve evidence regarding the cause of your accident and the extent of your injuries. It could include photos of unsafe scaffolding, CCTV footage, witness statements, and medical records and bills.
4. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can review your case and advise you of your rights. That lawyer can also file any lawsuits that may be necessary to help you recover lost wages, medical expenses, and other damages related to your injuries.
A professional personal injury claim specialist can help you get the compensation you deserve.
