Construction workers usually have to deal with working conditions that most people will never see. From using dangerous machinery to working at significant heights, construction is a hazardous industry. Employers are supposed to maintain strict safety standards to protect the workers who perform these hazardous but necessary jobs. Unfortunately, many fail to maintain those standards, and people who are injured may have to file for workers’ compensation.
Scaffolds are one of the biggest threats to worker safety on construction sites. This is particularly alarming since about 65% of construction workers regularly use scaffolds. Not only do some of the most common construction accidents involve scaffolds, but they often result in some of the most severe injuries.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has strict guidelines for how scaffolds can be constructed, maintained and used. These standards are meant to protect workers, but it is not uncommon for employers to prioritize their bottom lines by cutting corners.
Examples include:
- Failing to build a scaffold that can support four times that of the intended load in addition to its own weight
- Not performing inspections before each shift
- Not providing essential fall protection equipment
Although it is a dangerous industry, construction is essential to Pennsylvania’s growth. Because of this, workers should be able to trust their employers to provide the safest possible work environment and necessary safety equipment. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. When a worker is seriously injured at work, he or she may need to seek workers’ compensation benefits. Since workers’ comp helps bridge the financial gap for victims who have to take time off work, those who secure these benefits might be able to better focus on their recoveries.