Be Safe with Scaffolds - Kirk Bernard's 7 Construction Safety Tips
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.
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