A scaffold is a temporary framework that is used to elevate and support construction workers and materials. It works as a platform for the construction crew to work on areas that they could not otherwise access. It is used for new construction, repair and maintenance for a wide variety of buildings from residential to skyscrapers.
New York City is full of large-scale, multi-level buildings so scaffolding is common in many construction projects and it is no surprise that year after year falls from scaffolds are one of the leading causes of construction worker injuries and deaths, according to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Also, scaffolding violations cited by OSHA consistently make the top 10 list of cited standards in construction workplaces.
Some of the main causes of scaffold injuries and death include:
- Employer Negligence – including inadequate fall protection, lack of training for workers, low-quality scaffolding materials, or not enforcing workplace rules
- Poorly Constructed Scaffolds – scaffolds that don’t follow OSHA recommendations and lack structural integrity
- Falling Objects – debris from the worksite, tools, or other objects that fall from the scaffold and injury a construction worker or bystander
- Careless or Negligent Workers – actions by construction workers such as overloading the scaffolding, failing to use proper attachment points or lack of proper training about working on a scaffolding
- Dangerous Work Environment – environmental conditions that can make working on a scaffolding dangerous include working in inclement weather (rain, sleet, or snow that could lead to a fall) or working with harmful materials (such as toxic gases)
Scaffolding-Related Accidents in New York City
At Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore (KDLM) we are familiar with New York’s Labor Law 240, also known as the scaffold law, which is designed to keep construction workers safe in scaffold-related and fall-related accidents and has represented many injured construction workers to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and disability because of scaffolding-related accidents.
If you have been injured in a scaffolding-related accident, our New York personal injury lawyers will work hard to ensure that all applicable parties – builders, sub-contractors and anyone else who may have played a role in the injury – are held accountable. Contact KDLM at (212) 618-6800 or fill out this online form to schedule a free consultation.