Many Los Angeles area residents work in the construction industry. These jobs usually pay well and allow a person to comfortably support their family. But construction jobs can also be dangerous. Thousands of workers are injured or even killed on construction sites across the U.S. each year. One source of these injuries is scaffolding.
OSHA scaffolding statistics
Many construction workers use scaffolding in their jobs. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 65% of construction workers use scaffolding. Scaffolding is one of the top ways in which a construction worker is injured. A construction worker can be injured on scaffolding by:
- Improperly installed scaffolding
- Defective scaffolding
- Employer’s failure to ensure the use of protective equipment
- Objects falling onto workers from scaffolding
OSHA scaffolding regulations
OSHA has regulations that employers must follow with scaffolding. The design and construction must conform with OSHA requirements and:
- must be capable of supporting its own weight plus at least four times the maximum intended load.
- A suspension rope must be capable of supporting at least 6 times the maximum intended load.
OSHA inspection regulations
Inspection of the following need to be carried out:
- Competent person should inspect all scaffolds and components for visible defects before each work shift.
- Scaffolds should only be moved or altered under the supervision of a competent person.
- All components of personal fall protection equipment should be inspected before use.
- All visibly damaged or worn equipment should be removed immediately.
If a worker has suffered a serious injury due to scaffolding, they may want to speak with a legal professional who is skilled in construction site injuries. An attorney can take the time to analyze why the accident occurred and who is at fault. They can help their client get the compensation they deserve for their injury.
