Federal data has confirmed time and again that falls are the leading cause of both non-fatal injuries and death within the construction industry. Therefore, any efforts concerned with preventing workers from falling are welcome additions to the broader conversation about keeping construction professionals from sustaining harm while they are on the job.
One of the most useful fall prevention strategies involves the proper utilization of safe scaffolding. Scaffolding serves as temporary structure so that workers who are operating off the ground can execute their job duties on stable footing. When managed properly, scaffolding can significantly mitigate fall-related injury risks for construction workers. When managed improperly, scaffolding accidents can serve as a catalyst for injurious falls.
Hazards that Contribute to the Risk of Scaffolding Accidents
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3,250 construction professionals suffered significant injuries as a result of scaffolding accidents or issues during 2020 alone. As a result of how commonplace these accidents are, preventing them is not an insignificant concern. These are some of the primary hazards that lead to scaffolding accidents:
- Failure to implement or enforce a fall protection plan
- Lack of training leading to preventable risks
- Proximity to electrical hazards increasing electrocution risks
- Overloaded scaffold leading to collapse
- Unsecured materials on the scaffold leading to object-strike injuries
- Unstable scaffold leading to collapse
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Maximizing Scaffolding Safety
Thankfully, there are a host of ways that workers and employers can minimize the risk that scaffolding accidents will occur, injure workers, and bring construction on a project to a halt. These are the primary ways in which those interested in preventing such accidents can invest in worker safety:
- Access scaffolds safely
- Engage in falling object prevention protocols
- Institute and enforce a fall prevention program
- Honor load capacity limits
- Mandate the use of fall protection equipment
- Perform inspections before and during use
- Properly restrain scaffolds
- Train workers in safe scaffolding procedures
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Knowledgeable Chicago Construction Injury Lawyer Today to Learn More
Unfortunately, even the most conscientious workers and employers cannot completely mitigate every occupational risk. Therefore, no matter how careful you are and how safe your working conditions may be, you may end up getting hurt on the job. If this happens, it will be vitally important that you act quickly to seek legal guidance. Seeking recourse for occupational harm is an unusually time-sensitive process. As a result, you’ll want to reach out to the trusted team of construction injury attorneys at Anesi Ozmon, LTD. as soon as you can.
Our firm has been working to safeguard the rights and interests of Chicago’s construction professionals for nearly 70 years. Once you alert us to your need for representation, you’ll be able to trust that we know what to do to secure a favorable outcome to your situation if doing so is possible under the circumstances. To schedule a free legal consultation with our team, call our office at 312-997-5784 or connect with us online. We look forward to working with you.