While working on a scaffold, you may feel a sense of worry about the safety of the platform you are walking on.
Scaffolding can present numerous unique problems for construction workers, especially if the structure itself is improperly constructed.
Slipping hazards
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, one of the most common causes of severe injuries is a worker stumbling and falling while on a platform. Improperly placed tools, such as hammers or boards, can be a tripping hazard for you and other people.
The lack of a guardrail can also be a safety concern for employees. All scaffolding above a certain height requires a railing in order to prevent slips and falls. Every worker should wear protective gear at all times as well, and double-check that any fall arrest systems are correctly connected.
Falling tools
When one worker is up above you on a higher platform, there is a real possibility a heavy object may strike you in the head and cause serious personal injury.
Workers who are rushing to finish may toss tools to a coworker and accidentally drop them instead or even forget proper safety procedures. Wearing hard hats and other safety devices can help prevent more serious issues such as brain damage or spinal cord injuries.
Collapsing platforms
A competent person should always check each part of the scaffold before anyone else begins to use it. Placing too much weight on a structure or improperly connecting certain areas can cause it to sway, buckle and then eventually collapse.
If you work high up on a scaffold, you should stay aware of the inherent danger of this situation.
