Scaffolding Basics
Introduction
When scaffolds are not erected or used properly, fall hazards can occur. About 2.3 million construction workers frequently work on scaffolds. Protecting these workers from scaffold-related accidents would prevent about 4,500 injuries and over 50 fatalities each year.
When OSHA revised its scaffolds standard back in 1996, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) showed that 25% of workers injured in scaffold accidents had received no scaffold training. Also, 77% of scaffolds were not equipped with guardrails to keep workers safe.
In a recent BLS study, 72% of workers injured in scaffold accidents say the accident was caused by either planking or support giving way, employees slipping on surfaces, or employees being struck by falling objects.
A mason was fatally injured when he fell approximately twelve feet from the second level of an unguarded tubular welded scaffold system. It is not known what the victim was doing at the time of the incident; however, a witness saw him walk to the edge of the scaffold and place his foot on a piece of iron scaffold bracing. He either tripped or lost his balance, and fell to the sand covered asphalt below. They transported the victim to the local hospital where he died two hours later.
Investigators concluded that in order to prevent similar future occurrences, employers should:
- Install guardrails on all open sides of scaffolds more than ten feet above ground.
- Ensure that scaffolding is properly erected, maintained, moved, dismantled and/or altered only under a competent person's supervision.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive safety program that includes, but is not limited to, training in fall hazard recognition and the use of fall protection devices.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-1. What is a likely cause of scaffold-related accidents?
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