Blog

As you gain more experience working on scaffolding, it’s easy to believe you’ll never run into trouble. However, scaffolding is as dangerous as it sounds, as a simple mistake can cause a serious injury or even death.

Many types of workers regularly use scaffolding. This includes construction workers, painters and warehouse workers, among others.

It doesn’t matter how often you use scaffolding, here are some safety tips to guide you:

• Receive the proper training: Everyone working on or near scaffolding should receive proper training and education. Without this, a worker is more likely to make a mistake.
• Inspect scaffolding before each use: Doing so allows you to pinpoint any areas of concern, such as damaged or missing parts. It takes some time to inspect scaffolding before use, but it will give you and the rest of your team peace of mind.
• Know the load capacity: Overloading scaffolding is a common mistake. Understanding load capacity can help you protect against this. Take into consideration the weight of the workers, equipment and job site materials.
• Use guardrails at all times: There’s never an excuse for removing guardrails. Doing so greatly increases the risk of falling to the ground below.
• Stay organized: When first stepping foot on scaffolding, you may not have any issues with organization. However, as the day goes on, your workspace has the potential to become disorganized. For instance, tools on the floor of the scaffolding act as a trip hazard.

Even if you do all these things, there’s no guaranteed way to prevent a scaffolding accident. If this happens, do the following:

• Stay where you are as you examine yourself for injuries
• Call 911 if you require immediate medical attention
• Report the incident to your employer

Doing all these things will help you better understand your injuries, ensuring that you receive the proper treatment.

If you suffer an injury that will keep you out of work, file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. The money you receive will help you maintain financial stability as you recover.

In the event of a workers’ compensation denial, take the proper steps in filing an appeal. You don’t want to give up until you exhaust all your options.