Primary Causes of Scaffold Injuries and Fatalities in New York
Scaffolding is a critical component of most construction projects, providing workers with a platform to reach elevated areas. However, it’s also one of the most dangerous elements of a construction site. Over the years, we have represented numerous workers who’ve suffered serious injuries or even death due to poorly maintained or improperly used scaffolds. These tragic accidents often occur because of preventable mistakes, which is why it’s so important for construction companies to ensure scaffolds are safe and secure. We dive into the most common causes of scaffolding accidents and explore how these incidents can often be prevented through proper planning, training, and safety measures.
Common Causes of Scaffold Accidents
Unlocked Scaffold Wheels
One of the most frequent causes of scaffold-related injuries is unlocked scaffold wheels. A scaffold with movable wheels can pose a serious hazard if the wheels aren’t properly locked in place before work begins. A moving scaffold can send a worker falling straight to the ground, leading to serious injuries, including fractures, head trauma, or spinal cord injuries. Even if the scaffold doesn’t tip completely, any unanticipated movement can destabilize workers who are already at a height, causing them to lose their balance and fall.
Missing Guardrails
Another critical safety feature often overlooked is guardrails. Scaffolds must be equipped with guardrails to protect workers from falling off the edges. Without guardrails, workers have no protection if they lose their balance or slip, which can lead to life-threatening falls. A scaffold that lacks proper guardrails is an accident waiting to happen, as even small shifts in a worker’s stance can result in dangerous falls.
Missing guardrails are especially dangerous on higher scaffolds, where even a small fall can result in severe injuries or death.
Worn or Incorrect Planks
Scaffold planks provide the foundation upon which workers stand. If the planks are too thin, damaged, or incorrectly placed, they can break under weight, causing workers to fall from great heights. Worn planks are particularly problematic because they may not be immediately visible to workers or supervisors as a safety hazard, but they are prone to cracking, splitting, or even breaking under pressure. This can lead to serious falls and injuries.
In some cases, scaffolding planks may be the wrong size or not made of the right materials for the job. If they can’t support the weight of workers or their equipment, they can collapse. Contractors should ensure that planks are regularly inspected and meet the required standards for weight capacity.
Lack of Scaffold Harnesses
A key safety feature that is often overlooked is fall protection, such as harnesses and safety ropes. Workers on scaffolds must be provided with the proper fall protection gear. It is not optional: it is the law. When workers are working at high elevations without the necessary safety equipment, they are exposed to dangerous falls that can lead to serious injuries, including head trauma, spinal cord injuries, or internal damage.
In many cases, contractors neglect to provide harnesses or fall protection gear, or workers may be forced to work on scaffolds without proper safeguards. This is a violation of New York Labor Law Section 240, which requires employers to provide safe working conditions for employees, particularly those working at elevated heights.
Scaffolds Too Close to Power Lines
Electrocution is another significant risk for workers on scaffolds, particularly when scaffolds are placed too close to power lines. Even a slight touch of a scaffold to a live power line can cause severe electrical shock or electrocution, leading to injuries ranging from burns to organ damage or even death.
Scaffolds should always be positioned a minimum of 10 feet away from live electrical lines, as required by law. Many accidents happen when scaffolds are placed too close to power lines, whether intentionally or due to poor planning. This is a critical safety violation, and employers should always ensure that their scaffolds are not in close proximity to electrical hazards.
Inadequate Supervision of Scaffold Protocols
In many construction sites, inadequate supervision can contribute to scaffolding accidents. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that safety protocols are followed and that scaffolds are built correctly and safely. If supervision is lacking, workers may not receive the proper training on scaffold safety, or they may be asked to work in unsafe conditions.
Additionally, some employers assign supervisors who lack the proper training in scaffold safety and fall protection. Without the right expertise, these supervisors may overlook hazards, fail to identify risks, and fail to enforce safe practices. Proper oversight is crucial to ensuring worker safety on scaffolds and preventing accidents.
Why Scaffolding Accidents Are So Deadly
Scaffolding accidents are often extremely dangerous due to the height at which they occur. A fall from a scaffold, even from a relatively low height, can result in catastrophic injuries, including broken bones, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, and brain damage.
What makes scaffolding accidents particularly deadly is the combination of factors at play: unsecured scaffolds, missing fall protection, electrical hazards, and poorly maintained equipment. Even a short fall can cause serious or fatal injuries. Many workers suffer permanent disabilities that affect their ability to return to work and live a normal life. In some tragic cases, workers never make it home. Scaffolding accidents are often preventable, and it is crucial for companies to follow safety protocols to avoid such devastating outcomes.
Contact Cohen & Cohen for Help After a Scaffold Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a scaffolding accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. At Cohen & Cohen, we have extensive experience representing workers who have suffered injuries due to negligent scaffold safety practices. We work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Our team will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding your accident, identify all liable parties, and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait: Take action now to protect your rights.
Contact Cohen & Cohen today for a free consultation with our experienced legal team. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of your case and fight for justice.
If you’ve been injured in an accident while on the job, call the construction accident attorneys at Cohen & Cohen Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. now for a FREE consultation at (718) 550-5738 in Forest Hills, NY. We are ready to fight for your rights as a construction worker. No matter the scope of your accident, our lawyers will work with industry professionals and accident reconstructionists to gain a clear understanding of your situation. By interviewing witnesses, reading the police report and consulting your doctors, we can begin developing a strong case strategy that takes into account your current injuries and any future difficulties they may present. Trust our firm to aggressively fight on your behalf from start to finish. We provide a free, no-obligation case evaluation and handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You will not pay lawyers’ fees if we do not help you recover monetary compensation for your claim. Call (718) 550-5738 to arrange an initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer near you. You may also use our convenient email contact form to request a return phone call about your case. Nosotros hablamos español (we speak Spanish) and мы говорим по русски (We speak Russian).