OSHA Scaffold Safety Measures
OSHA creates safety regulations for nearly every conceivable tool used in the construction industry. And it seems that those regulations are the most complex and numerous for the tools that have the most potential for construction site injuries. Scaffoldings are one example.
“Protecting workers from scaffold-related accidents would prevent an estimated 4,500 injuries and 50 fatalities each year,” according to OSHA. In an effort to spur prevention, OSHA makes the following simple safety recommendations:
- Scaffold must be sound, rigid and sufficient to carry its own weight plus four times the maximum intended load without settling or displacement. It must be erected on solid footing.
- Unstable objects, such as barrels, boxes, loose bricks or concrete blocks must not be used to support scaffolds or planks.
- Scaffold must not be erected, moved, dismantled or altered except under the supervision of a competent person.
- Scaffold must be equipped with guardrails, midrails and toeboards.
- Scaffold accessories such as braces, brackets, trusses, screw legs or ladders that are damaged or weakened from any cause must be immediately repaired or replaced.
- Scaffold platforms must be tightly planked with scaffold plank grade material or equivalent.
- A “competent person” must inspect the scaffolding and, at designated intervals, reinspect it.
- Rigging on suspension scaffolds must be inspected by a competent person before each shift and after any occurrence that could affect structural integrity to ensure that all connections are tight and that no damage to the rigging has occurred since its last use.
- Synthetic and natural rope used in suspension scaffolding must be protected from heat-producing sources.
- Employees must be instructed about the hazards of using diagonal braces as fall protection.
- Scaffold can be accessed by using ladders and stairwells.
- Scaffolds must be at least 10 feet from electric power lines at all times.
They also publish the handbook, “A Guide to Scaffold Use in the Construction Industry.” Somewhat daunting, this handbook contains page after page of OSHA standards and recommendations for scaffold safety.
Scaffolds are just one way that you can be injured in a fall when on a construction site. There are numerous others. Your employer should always abide by OSHA standards in order to decrease the risks of fall accidents at New York or New Jersey construction sites.
Construction Accident Lawyers of Ginarte Law Firm
At the Ginarte Law Firm, we know what can happen when a fall from a scaffold occurs. Lasting injuries are not uncommon in accidents like this. You could break bones and even suffer from a traumatic brain injury. If this is the case, we may be able to help.
New York and New Jersey construction injuries are common, but workers often don’t know where to turn. At Ginarte, our construction accident attorneys are experienced in working with injured construction workers. Contact us today to discuss your accident and your rights under the law. Call 1-888-GINARTE now or fill out our online contact form.
