Jerome, Gibson, Stewart, Stevenson, Engle & Runbeck, P.C.
  • Home
  • About
  • Workers Compensation Overview
    • Industrial Manufacturing Accidents
    • Medical Benefits
    • Resources
    • Types Of Injuries
    • Types Of Workers
  • FAQ
    • What Should I Do If I Was Injured At Work?
    • What Should I Do If My Benefits Were Terminated?
    • What Will Happen To Me After An Injury?
    • Why Was My Claim Denied?
  • Blog
  • Contact
Select Page

How safe must scaffoldings be on construction sites?

On behalf of Jerome, Gibson, Stewart, Stevenson, Engle & Runbeck, P.C. | Mar 20, 2015 | Construction Workers' Accidents

Every year, 4,500 construction workers are injured and 50 die due to scaffolding-related accidents nationwide. With a few sensible precautions, Arizona worksites can significantly reduce the likelihood of a construction accident.

Under federal worker safety rules, scaffoldings must meet certain minimum requirements for construction and performance. For example, only a “competent person” must erect scaffolding. It must be built on a solid footing and not on barrels, boxes, loose bricks or concrete blocks.

It may not be built within 10 feet of any electric power lines. Platforms must fit tightly and be made of plank grade material or its equivalent. When completed, scaffolding must support its own weight plus four times the intended load without settling or displacement.

Scaffolding must also be equipped with certain safety features, such as guardrails, midrails and toeboards. Employees who use the structure must be instructed on proper fall prevention. Additionally, following every shift or any event affecting the structures’ integrity, scaffolding must be inspected.

Scaffoldings that do not meet these minimum safety standards pose a great risk to construction workers. Employees who notice improperly constructed or maintained scaffoldings, or who are injured as a result of one, should report immediatelyy to their supervisor and seek medical care if necessary.

Normally, employers and employees do everything in their power to avoid workplace injuries. Unfortunately, accidents do happen. Any employee who is injured on the job site, whether a construction worker or not, is entitled to workers’ compensation for his or her injuries – no matter who is ultimately responsible for the accident.

Workers’ compensation normally includes the cost of medication, surgery, therapy, rehabilitation and other related medical care. In some cases, employers or their insurance carriers refuse to cover reasonable costs resulting from workplace injuries. Under those circumstances, injured employees should considered obtaining legal guidance from a workers’ compensation attorney.

Avoiding workplace hazards and observing minimum safety precautions are always the best bet. However, when accidents do occur, workers’ compensation attorneys can help an injured employee receive all the care they are entitled to under the law.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Worker Safety Series: Construction,” accessed on March 15, 2015.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Recent Posts

  • Trench safety can prevent construction accidents
  • Safety authorities issue warnings to prevent robotic work injury
  • Strict rules exist for respirator use to prevent work injury
  • Work injury: The threats of infectious disease outbreaks
  • Unsafe environments can lead to construction accidents

Archives

  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012

Categories

  • Construction Workers' Accidents
  • Firm News
  • Industrial Workers' Accidents
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Workplace Accidents
  • Workplace Injuries

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

Get In Touch With Us

map location

Phoenix Office:
1001 North Central Avenue
Suite 600
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Contact Info:
Phone: 602-635-6561
Fax: 602-340-8825

map location

Phoenix Office:
Mailing Address
PO Box 2551
Phoenix, AZ 85002

Contact Info:
Phone: 602-635-6561
Fax: 602-340-8825

Map & Directions
REVIEW US

© 2021 Jerome, Gibson, Stewart, Stevenson, Engle & Runbeck, P.C.. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters