Falls from scaffolds are one of the main causes of Washington construction accidents. When a worker is on a scaffold, a number of things could go wrong. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that more than 2 million construction workers work on scaffolds each year. In addition, OSHA estimates that protecting these workers from scaffold-related accidents would prevent 4,500 injuries and 50 deaths every year.
As a skilled Seattle personal injury attorney, Kirk Bernard knows that some of the most common hazards include falls from elevation due to lack of fall protection; scaffold collapse; being struck by falling tools or object; and electrocution because of the proximity of the scaffold to overhead power lines. If you work on scaffolds, here are the top 7 safety tips:
- Make sure that a competent person has inspected the scaffold before you work on it.
- Wear protective gear, including a hard hat whether you are working on or under a scaffold.
- Use a personal fall arrest system such as a harness.
- Wear sturdy shoes with non-slip soles.
- Always use common sense and move slowly and carefully. If you are not sure if a scaffold is safe, talk to a supervisor.
- Never overload a scaffold or hit a scaffold with anything heavy such as truck or forklift.
- Use an outdoor scaffold in stormy or windy weather or if it is covered with ice or snow.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington construction accident, please contact the skilled personal injury lawyers with The Bernard Law Group. Please call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about Washington construction accident cases, which has useful educational information to help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.