New Jersey Scaffolding Accident Attorneys
Each year, construction workers are seriously injured in accidents that occur on the job. One of the most dangerous working conditions is the use of scaffolding on construction sites. The risk of injury and death is high when using scaffolding because it is often used at a high distance from the ground. If you have been injured in a scaffolding accident while on the job, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today. Our experienced New Jersey scaffolding construction accident lawyers may be able to recover what you have lost because of a scaffolding injury.
Scaffolding is an elevated, temporary work platform that is used in construction work. There are three basic types of scaffolds:
- Supported scaffolds, which consist of one or more platforms supported by rigid, load-bearing members, such as poles, legs, frames, outriggers, etc.
- Suspended scaffolds, which are one or more platforms suspended by ropes or other non-rigid, overhead support.
- Other scaffolds, typically man lifts, personnel hoists, etc., which are sometimes thought of as vehicles or machinery, but can be regarded as another type of supported scaffold.
According to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Heath Administrations), close to 2.3 million construction employees work on scaffolding on a regular basis, and approximately 4,500 construction workers suffer serious and often fatal injuries each year due to improper scaffolding safety precautions and employer negligence. These work accidents still occur even though many state and federal regulations, as well as industry standards, require owners, general contractors and sub-contractors to implement a wide variety of safety measures.
Workers are subject to many hazards associated with working on scaffolds, including:
- Collapse of the scaffold, caused by instability or overloading.
- Being struck by falling tools, work materials, or debris.
- Falls from elevation, due to lack of fall protection.
- Electrocution, principally due to proximity of the scaffold to overhead power lines.
Standards have been established for scaffolds, and employers must adhere to the mandated requirements. Some of the most important safety requirements are as follows:
- Each scaffold and scaffold component must support without failure its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load applied or transmitted to it.
- They must be secured against movement by tiebacks installed at right angles to the face of the building or structure or by opposing angle tiebacks installed and secured to a structurally sound point of anchorage.
- No more than two employees should occupy suspension scaffolds designed for a working load of 500 pounds.
- No more than three employees should occupy suspension scaffolds designed for a working load of 750 pounds.
- A qualified person must design the scaffolds, which are loaded in accordance with that design.
- Scaffolds and scaffold components must not be loaded in excess of their maximum intended loads or rated capacities, whichever is less.
- All suspension scaffold support devices, such as outrigger beams, cornice hooks, and parapet clamps, must rest on surfaces capable of supporting at least 4 times the load imposed on them.
Even though strict regulations have been established, many employers continue to act in an irresponsible and negligent manner. Construction workers trust that their employers have taken the utmost care in presenting a safe and secure work environment. However, negligent companies, contractors, sub-contractors and equipment manufacturers continue to disregard the safety of their employees.