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If you
work in construction, you’ve likely encountered a scaffold. According to OSHA, an estimated 2.3 million
construction workers, or 65 percent of the industry, work on scaffolds. Here in
New York City, scaffolds abound, with nearly 8,000 structures comprising 280 miles of scaffolding throughout the
city. Unfortunately, scaffolds can be dangerous. Scaffold-related accidents account
for about 4,500 injuries and more than 60 deaths each year nationwide,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The good news is that, by simply
complying with OSHA standards, many of these scaffold-related accidents can be
avoided. 

Get
Trained – It’s the Law

Scaffold-related
accidents can be caused by many things including falling objects, flooring and
plank collapses, and faulty set-up, and injuries can range from slip-and-falls
to broken bones to death. In order to effectively prevent scaffold-related
accidents, workers need to be properly educated on up-to-code practices prior
to beginning a job assignment. New York has multiple scaffold-related safety
laws, including Labor Laws 200, 240, and 241. These laws are meant to protect
both workers and visitors to the jobsite. If your employer does not provide you
a thorough understanding of scaffold-related training, they are violating the
law by putting you at an elevated risk.

Know
What Type of Training You Must Have

Scaffolds
are complex, intricate structures that can take many forms. For instance, scaffolds
can be supported or suspended, mobile or stationary, and adjustable or
non-adjustable. Any worker who directly uses or works in the vicinity of a
scaffold should receive comprehensive training to prevent accidents. OSHA’s checklist of scaffold-related expectations
is a good starting point, and provides solutions to common hazards. However,
your employer should provide more specific training that is relevant to your
job and your worksite.

Inspect
Scaffolds Before and After Use

Workers
should incorporate a visual inspection of scaffolds into their daily routine –
but you must know what to look for. For instance, scaffolds must be placed on
solid footing and correctly secured to ensure stability. Unstable objects, such
as brick or concrete blocks, should never be used as a support for scaffolding.
By conducting a visual inspection, workers should notice these types of issues
before they become a larger problem. If you see anything that seems off or
unsettling, always play it safe and say something. Even the smallest detail can
cause a major accident.

Keep
Clean and Stay Organized

Scaffolds have
an extremely small surface area, so it’s key to keep them clean, organized, and
free of any obstruction. While it may not be explicitly noted on OSHA’s
checklist, having a cluttered area can create safety risks and lead to serious injuries.
Equipment and tools should be properly organized and stored so that workers don’t
trip and fall. Debris, trash, or spills also must be regularly cleaned so as
not to add to fall risk.

Ready to
find your next construction job? You can get access Building Skills NY construction
job and training opportunities by checking out our Job
Seekers page.