Scaffold accidents can cause serious injury
Every day throughout the state of Nebraska, construction companies and contractors setup scaffolding as a means of working at height.
While this is a great way to ensure the quality of the job, it’s important to remember that there is risk involved as well.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 65 percent of construction employees use scaffolding on a regular basis. This goes a long way in showing just how important it is for safety to be priority number one at all times.
There are many types of accidents associated with scaffolding, including falls, improper installation, and defective equipment. Regardless of the reason for the accident, when this happens one or more worker could be injured and require immediate medical attention.
There are a variety of OSHA regulations associated with scaffolding, all of which are meant to help reduce accidents and related injuries. The agency requires that all employers and workers follow these regulations.
Unfortunately, due to the fact that scaffolding is used so often, this doesn’t always happen. For example, a company may forget to inspect scaffolding before it’s used by workers, thus leading to an accident.
If you’re injured in a scaffold accident, there’s no time to wait in regards to receiving medical attention. Along with this, make sure the accident is reported to your employer and OSHA without delay.
If you find yourself in this position, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. This can result in financial assistance until you are ready to return to your job, which could be several months (or longer).
Source: FindLaw, “Scaffold Injuries,” accessed Nov. 16, 2016