A scaffold is a temporary structure made of metal, fiberglass, aluminum, or wooden planks. It provides a stable platform for workers to elevate themselves, materials, and equipment, allowing them to reach difficult, unsafe, and hard-to-reach areas.
Scaffolds are essential to many industries, such as:
- Construction workers
- Painters and decorators
- Window cleaners
- Electricians and HVAC technicians
- Maintenance and repair workers
Additionally, chemical plants commonly use scaffolding for tasks like inspections, repairs, and access to the complex network of pipes, tanks, and elevated structures common to these facilities. Safety requirements are especially strict due to the presence of hazardous conditions. Scaffolding often requires regular inspections and may need to be covered to prevent exposure to chemicals that impact its structural integrity.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 2.3 million construction workers work on scaffolds, and there were roughly 52 deaths in 2020, with falls from scaffolds accounting for approximately 25% of fatal falls from all working surfaces. Workers in these types of occupations also experienced approximately 21,400 non-fatal injuries.
Types of Scaffolding
| Supported | It is built from the ground up with vertical posts and horizontal supports/planks, which provide a stable base. Commonly used in construction, repair, and maintenance, such as exterior work on buildings and chemical tanks |
| Suspended | Platforms suspended from roofs or other structures using ropes or chains. These platforms adjust to various heights. They are commonly used in exterior building work, such as cleaning windows. |
| Rolling/mobile | This scaffold is mounted on wheels or casters, allowing it to move easily. Commonly used for work across large surfaces that require frequent repositioning. |
| Cantilever | It is anchored to a structure at one end, with the platform extending outward. It is commonly used where space for ground support is complex, like overhanging structures or uneven ground. This is seen in projects that need to avoid street or pedestrian pathways. |
| Pump jack | A pump jack can raise or lower this adjustable scaffold along vertical poles. They are commonly used for tasks requiring vertical mobility, such as installing siding or wall painting. |
| System | This scaffolding is pre-engineered with interconnected parts that are easy to assemble and provide quick setup and stable support. They are commonly seen for same-day or temporary projects. |
Causes of Scaffolding Accidents and Injuries
Scaffolding hazards rank high on the most frequently cited standards in the construction industry. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides industry safety standards for scaffold use to protect workers from harm. OSHA highlights current scaffolding education, engineering, capacity, criteria, and general requirement standards across the United States. Failure to follow the outlined criteria and provide safe work environments can lead to personal injury.
Here are some common causes of scaffolding injuries that could hold liability:
Poor Construction/Defects:
- Proper construction is crucial for scaffolding to be safe. Poor design or manufacturing practices that use low-quality materials are often a reason for accidents. Common issues include necessary bracing or providing guardrails for fall protection. If inadequate construction leads to injuries, the company responsible for building the scaffolding can also face liability.
Maintenance Issues:
- Over time, scaffolding can become overused or worn out, posing severe worker risks. When signs of wear or damage are detected, it is essential to replace the scaffolding promptly to prevent accidents. To ensure safety and stability, scaffolding should be inspected consistently and regularly throughout the workday. Regular inspections and timely replacements are critical to maintaining a secure construction site.
Safety Equipment:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as helmets, harnesses, and safety goggles can significantly reduce the risk of injury in case of falls or accidents. Harnesses should be properly secured when working at heights, ensuring workers are safely tethered to stable structures. Additionally, installing guardrails, toe boards, and other safety features on scaffolding enhances protection against falls and falling objects.
Scaffolding Collapse:
- Scaffolding can fall if it is not built correctly or is too heavy. Workers on the platform can get severely injured, suffer total body injury, or be crushed.
Electrocution:
- An area surrounding scaffolding sites should be clear of power lines, or at the very least, provide necessary information to the workers of “hot zones,” When failure to do so, exposed live wires can be touched by a worker, causing severe burn injuries, or even death.
Common Scaffolding Injuries
Injuries on construction sites can vary significantly, ranging from minor sprains to life-threatening conditions. Many workers face serious injuries that could end in permanent disability. Here are a few common injuries caused by scaffolding injuries:
Long Bone/Spinal Fractures:
- Due to the significant impact of falling from a height, injuries from falls from heights, scaffolding collapses, and slipping accidents can result in long bone fractures, such as a femur or tibia, and spinal injuries, like vertebral fractures.
- Symptoms may include, but are not limited to, severe pain, deformity, back pain, numbness or tingling, weakness, and loss of bladder/bowel control.
Traumatic Brain Injuries:
- Injuries from tools or materials falling from scaffolding can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions and more severe brain damage, as well as skull fractures.
- Symptoms may include, but are not limited to, a loss of consciousness, confusion, headaches, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, vision changes, or altered mental status.
Electrocution:
- Contact with overhead power lines or faulty electrical equipment can result in severe electrical burns, cardiac arrest, or other life-altering injuries, complicating recovery.
What Do I Do Next?
At Ghuneim Law Firm, we understand the complexities and dangers of construction work and are committed to advocating for the rights of injured workers. If you or someone you know has suffered an injury in a scaffolding accident, it’s crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible. We can help guide you through the process, help you understand your rights, and explore your options for compensation. Remember, safety should always be the top priority on a construction site—every worker deserves a safe environment to perform their job.
Contact the Ghuneim Law Firm at 833-GHU-NEIM or at 281-487-8929 to schedule a free consultation.
References
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2002). A guide to scaffolding safety (OSHA Publication No. 3150). U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3150.pdf
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Scaffolding. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/scaffolding#ref1
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). Workplace injuries and job requirements for construction laborers. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/spotlight/2022/workplace-injuries-and-job-requirements-for-construction-laborers/
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/iif/