Scaffolding and Worker Safety: What You Should Know

Scaffolding is an integral tool in the construction industry, allowing workers to access elevated platforms without requiring the use of ladders. Unfortunately, though, there's an inherit risk of injury when using scaffolding -- a risk that's amplified when certain safety precautions are not taken.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), there were 54 reported fatalities in 2009 attributed to the use of scaffolds and staging. Granted, this number pales in comparison to fatalities caused by slip and falls, but scaffolding remains one of the most frequently cited standard in the construction industry, according to OSHA.

"Scaffolding hazards continue to rank high on the list of the most frequently cited standards in the construction industry. Scaffold-related fatalities account for a significant number of fatalities in the construction workplace," wrote the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

In a separate study, the BLS found that 72% of worker injuries attributed to scaffolding were caused by the planking giving way, or the worker slipping. So, what can you do to reduce the risk of injury while working on a scaffold?

Above all else, you should familiarize yourself with OSHA's standard regarding the use of scaffolding. Many employers rarely, if ever, look at this information, placing workers at risk for injury while subsequently increasing their risk of a citation. OSHA states that all employees working 10 feet or higher above the ground must be protected from falls via either a guardrail or fall arrest system. The only exception for this rule is when employees are on a single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold.

Weight capacity is something else you should consider when working on a scaffold. According to OSHA, scaffolds and components must support a minimum of 4 times the intended load. Suspension scaffolding should have an even higher maximum weight capacity, holding at least 6 times the intended load. Overloading a scaffolding beyond its weight capacity is a serious hazard that can result in injury or fatality.

To learn more about scaffolding safety, check out OSHA's webpage at

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3150/osha3150.html.