Construction use of Scaffold in Rhode Island (RI) is a very significant part of many construction sites. It is critical that proper safety precautions are utilized on construction sites in RI to prevent injury or fatal accidents. Properly erected scaffolds that utilize optimal safety practices will also prevent and curtail RI workers compensation claims or Providence wrongful death causes of action.
Scaffolding accident in Rhode Island
Sadly, many accidents in Rhode Island occur on or around scaffolds in construction zones. There are numerous types of scaffold related accidents including falls from scaffolds, slip and fall, premises liability causes of action, materials or objects falling and hitting workers or pedestrians below. Sometimes, materials falling from a scaffold could cause a RI car accident or truck crash. Some scaffold related accidents are deadly and the fatal accident leads to wrongful death litigation by the beneficiaries of the estate of the person killed in the mishap.
Defective Scaffold
When an expert evaluates the safety of a scaffold to see whether it is defective, the expert will look to see if there is an appropriate guardrails. In some instances toe boards should be utilized in scaffolds that are very high. In some instances cross braces should be used. The plank material must also be up to a particular grade.
Slip and fall scaffolding accident
Slip and fall accidents on scaffolds is also a very serious problem, especially if the scaffold is covered with rain, ice, sleet or snow. It is also crucial for the safety expert to see how the scaffold may be accessed. An important issue is- Are their ladders and stairs or is it necessary to climb up? An expert will need to examine the slope of the scaffold to see whether proper footwear should have been required by management and supervisors. There have been numerous instances of scaffold collapse causing serious injury, brain injury, paralysis or even death. Only experienced and skilled persons should erect or maintain a scaffold.
Precautions to protect pedestrians
A scaffold must also not be too close to electrical power lines. In some instances a canopy is needed to protect workers and pedestrians below from objects falling on them causing serious injury. There have been many cases of falling construction material causing traumatic head injury or serious personal injury. It is crucial that all precautions are utilized to protect Rhode Island pedestrians from pedestrian accidents caused by workers utilizing the scaffold.
60 deaths every year
“An estimated 2.3 million construction workers, or 65 percent of the construction industry, work on scaffolds. Protecting these workers from scaffold-related accidents may prevent some of the 4,500 injuries and over 60 deaths every year (Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2003 and 2004 data for the private sector), at a savings for American employers of $90 million in workdays not lost. In a recent BLS study, 72 percent of workers injured in scaffold accidents attributed the accident either to the planking or support giving way, or to the employee slipping or being struck by a falling object. All of these accidents can be controlled by compliance with OSHA standards.” Osha
RI construction accident lawyer
If you are injured in an a RI construction accident or a Providence scaffold accident , please contact a Rhode Island Personal Injury Attorney or a Providence RI Construction Accident lawyer who is experienced in construction negligence law.
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