Walking on platforms high above the ground can lead to serious injuries, such as spinal cord and brain trauma.
This is a common problem for construction workers who often use scaffolds. Knowing the hazards associated with scaffolding is important for anyone working near or on one.
Collapses
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a construction work area without proper safety measures or with a poorly constructed platform can lead to a scaffold collapsing. Protective gear may prevent some harm, but it does not always prevent catastrophic injuries during collapses.
Heavy wooden beams or mechanical equipment coming loose can also harm you as well. In instances where it is hard to access the scaffold, you may have workers struggling to safely exit while it falls apart. Scaffolds should always be properly assembled and dismantled with a competent person overseeing the process.
Falls and falling items
The higher up a scaffold, the more likely it is you may sustain serious injuries. You need to wear pieces of protective gear when above a certain height.
Falling objects can strike you in the head or other areas and cause brain trauma. If there is a chance of overhead hazards, those in charge should always use caution tape to mark the area.
Electrocution
Although a competent person should always oversee the construction of the scaffold, in some cases loose wires may stick out. This unfinished electrical wiring poses a hazard to anyone working on a scaffold.
Intense electrocution can cause life-changing injuries and even death. Knowing the dangers of working on a scaffold can help you notice when something is wrong.