Scaffolding accidents continue to be a major contributor to construction site injuries. According to OSHA, ensuring scaffold safety on construction sites would prevent approximately 4,500 injuries and 50 deaths per year. What is it about scaffolding that makes it so dangerous for workers?
In short, there are many things that can go wrong on scaffolding that can lead to falls and serious injuries. Scaffolding instability can lead to collapse, or workers can suffer from a slip and fall injury from scaffolding that remains intact. Scaffolding instability can come from many sources, including:
- An uneven or otherwise unstable footing
- Loosely planked platforms
- Unsecured objects being used to shore up scaffolding or planks
- Weakened or damaged screws, brackets or other accessories
Accidents can happen on scaffolding for other safety-related reasons, including:
- Inadequate or missing guardrails
- Being too close to a power line
- Lack of inspection, or assembly by an untrained person
Workers who fall from scaffolding can face severe injuries, including broken bones and head and brain trauma. Given the height of scaffolding and the impact of such falls, it’s not surprising that scaffolding accidents often prove deadly.
Our team of experienced injury attorneys in Pittsburgh understand that workers’ compensation is often the best available source for workers to get the help they need to pay for medical care and rehabilitation after a non-fatal fall. Depending on the details of the accident, however, third-party claims may also be possible. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident, contact a Pittsburgh construction accident lawyer to discuss the details of the accident and how you can get the compensation you deserve.