Three steps for preventing scaffolding injuries

s spring has taken hold in New Jersey, the construction industry is poised to have another profitable year. The residential housing market remains strong, and the commercial construction market mirrors the success of the nation’s economy. Given the increasing number of construction projects, there may be a greater risk of accidents as developers and investors look to finish buildings and reap the financial benefits.  

With all the dangers that workers can encounter on construction sites, falls are still the primary way for workers to be injured. In fact, a fall from just six feet above ground can lead to serious injuries. For every foot higher that a worker is in the air, the greater the chance for a serious (or fatal).

Given this climate, it is important for contractors and workers alike to observe safety rules regarding scaffolds.

With that, the following safety checks should be conducted on a daily basis:

A full and complete inspection of the scaffolding – Before workers begin work on the site each day, the responsible supervisor should inspect all scaffolding (and fixtures) and make certain that there are no defects.

An inspection of guardrails – In the same vein, supervisors should inspect guardrails to ensure these important safety measures will prevent a worker from falling.

Require safety belts for some workers- As we alluded to earlier, the higher up workers are, the better the chance for serious injuries. As such, workers working 10 10 feet or higher above the ground should be required to use safety belts.

If these guidelines are ignored, and an injury occurs, the construction company could be subject to liability.

The preceding is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.