The Construction Accident Attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy know that a scaffold accident can devastate a construction worker and his or her family. A serious scaffold accident can result in significant injuries and, sometimes, even death. Scaffold accidents may lead to medical expenses piling up and also preventing the victim from returning to work. So, it goes without saying, preventing scaffold accidents is critical. It will literally save and improve lives.
First and foremost, what is a scaffold? A scaffold is supposed to be a temporary structure used to support workers and materials that are intended to be used at a construction site. Scaffolds have been used at worksites for centuries. They afford workers an opportunity to perform construction work at an elevated height.
Obviously there are perils associated with people working high up in the air. Working on a scaffold is dangerous, particularly if basic safety principles are not adhered to. Occasionally, having an experienced and capable supervisor at a jobsite, a person who appreciates the dangers associated with construction work, can make a big difference. Below is a summary of some critical issues for workers in charge of safety to keep in mind when working at a construction site where a scaffold is being used.
A capable safety supervisor should be an individual who has the ability to identify dangerous working conditions. The individual must have the authority to direct and control how the work is being done and have the ability to ensure that corrective measures are taken to make the environment safer. A safety supervisor should be familiar with scaffolds used during construction work.
- A safety supervisor should understand how to correct, dismantle, transfer or change the position and composition of a scaffold.
- A safety supervisor should be able to inspect a scaffold and determine whether the structural integrity of the scaffold is intact.
- A safety supervisor should be capable of training employees on how to assemble, disassemble, moved and inspect a scaffold.
- A safety supervisor should be able to carefully analyze whether weather conditions dictate that it is unsafe for workers to be positioned on a scaffold.
- A safety supervisor should make sure that fall protection equipment is available and used when appropriate.
- A safety supervisor should recognize whether a scaffold can withstand the load that the intended work calls for.
- A safety supervisor should make sure that guardrails are in place when workers are laboring at an elevated height.
- A safety supervisor, most importantly, must prioritize safety and the people working at a job site.
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Construction Accident laws in New York are complicated. That is why it is so critical for a victim of a scaffold accident to make sure that they consult with an experienced, knowledgeable construction accident attorney. The lawyers at Block O’Toole & Murphy have been delivering results for victims of construction accidents for decades. The firm has recovered nearly $1 billion in verdicts and settlements.
Additionally, the firm has reported more results in excess of one-million dollars than any other law firm in New York State over the last five years. They also have an intimate working knowledge of the worker safety laws in New York. This allows them to easily explain what an injured worker should expect. It also gives them an advantage over their adversaries. You may contact the lawyers at Block O’Toole & Murphy for a free consultation at any time by dialing 212-736-5300.