As you walk along the top of a scaffold high above the ground, you may encounter a variety of issues that can lead to an accident.
Knowing how the people around you can influence a slip and fall accident is important when you are dealing with an injury.
Disregard of rules
According to the United States Department of Labor, a scaffold is unsafe if it is not tested ahead of time by the guidelines set out by OSHA, otherwise known as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A workplace that neglects to tell a competent person to check for loose boards or rusting screws can leave the scaffold at risk for a collapse.
This means that you could fall and harm your head or spine if any of these platforms cannot hold your weight. Even if you do not detect them right away, internal injuries can also happen after a fall.
Loose tools and tripping hazards
Workers should always put away tools whenever they finish using them. Being able to walk freely around on a plank without worrying about items on the ground or falling from above is important when you are in high-pressure situations on a scaffold.
If a coworker leaves even one loose tool in a place where you walk, it can lead to injuries.
Bad initial construction
A scaffold that is poorly built from the start, or one with improper or weak materials, can leave you at risk for an injury. When people are rushing to build a scaffold, workers may skip steps or ignore issues that could lead to a collapse.
Staying aware of how other workers impact a potential construction accident is important for you.
