Scaffolding Accident Frequently Asked Questions

How you should be protected

An estimated 2.3 million construction workers, or 65% of the construction industry, work on scaffolds frequently. Protecting these workers from scaffold-related accidents would prevent 4,500 injuries and 50 deaths every year, at a savings for American employers of $90 million in workdays not lost. In a recent BLS study, seventy-two 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 can be controlled by compliance with OSHA standards. If you have been injured at a work zone, fill out this simple form to contact a lawyer today.

• Where can I find general information about Scaffolding?
• Where can I find resources for Scaffolding in construction?
• Where can I find information about Scaffolding in maritime?

Related Safety and Health Topics

• Crane and Hoist Safety
• Fall Protection
• Walking/Working Surfaces

Common Information

• Recognition
  • A Guide to Scaffold Use in the Construction Industry. OSHA Publication 3150 (2002),  2.1 MB PDF, 73 pages.
  • Key Switch Controlled Elevating and Rotating Aerial Lifts. OSHA Technical Information Bulletin (2002, April 11) 15 KB PDF, 3 pages.
  • Outreach/Training Materials on Subpart L-Safety Standards for Scaffolds Used in the Construction Industry. Office of Training and Education, OSHA.
    • Outreach Memo. (1996, November 6). 
    • Scaffolding slides. Also available as a 1.0 MB PowerPoint Pack & Go file. Please Note: To run this PowerPoint Presentation, first save the "scafold.exe" file to a folder on a local drive. Then double click "scafold.exe" to uncompress. Next, double click "pngsetup.exe" located in the same directory. A Pack and Go Setup window will pop up. Type in the path to the desired destination folder. Press OK. Follow the remainder of  instructions. 
    • Overhead masters. 2.2 MB PDF file.
    • Handout illustrating different scaffold types. 405K PDF file.
    • Summary of the Final Rule. 370 KB PDF file or 400 KB WordPerfect file.
  • A Basic Look At Scaffolds For Compliance Officers, (February 2000). An 18 minute video which looks at some of the most commonly used types of scaffolds, associated hazards, and erection procedures.
  • Preventing Worker Injuries and Deaths Caused by Falls From Suspension Scaffolds. NIOSH Alert, Publication No. 92-108 (1992, August). Recent investigations by NIOSH suggest that fatal falls occur as a result of defective scaffold equipment, improper installation or operation, improper training of workers, or a failure to use appropriate personal fall protection equipment.
  • Preventing Electrocutions During Work with Scaffolds Near Overhead Power Lines. NIOSH Alert, Publication No, 90-110 (1991, August). Recent NIOSH investigations conducted under the Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology (FACE) Program suggest that many employers, contractors, and workers may be unaware of the hazards of working with scaffolds near uninsulated overhead power lines.
  • Selected Occupational Fatalities Related to Vehicle-Mounted Elevated and Rotating Work Platforms. OSHA Report, (1991, July), 49 pages. Study of OSHA fatality/catastrophe investigation reports from 1986-1990. Includes summaries of individual reports, as well as analysis of data and recommended preventive measures.

Construction

Due to the volume of material, information pertaining to scaffold use in construction is contained on a separate page.

Maritime: Compliance

• 1917.1, Scope and applicability. 1910.28 applies to marine terminal operations.

• PPE SHIPYARD - Section 3, Summary and Explanation of Final Rule. Personal Protective Equipment for Shipyard Employment. Lifeline use on suspended scaffolds.

• STD .2, Identification of General Industry Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR 1910) Applicable to Shipyard Work.

• Scaffolds in Shipyards (Part 1915 - Subpart N)[Long Term Action]. OSHA Unified Agenda (2001, December 5). This standard will revise the existing shipyard employment standards covering scaffolds and will consolidate all related and applicable 29 CFR part 1910 provisions into 29 CFR part 1915. It will develop, in part, performance-oriented standards, address current gaps in coverage, and address new technologies. About 7500 workers are potentially exposed to these hazards annually.

• Safe Work Practices for Marine Hanging Staging. OSHA Guidance Document (2005, April). Also available as a 1.2 MB PDF.

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see also:

Is your Construction Site Safe? Construction Safety: Construction Site Safety: OSHA and General Safety FAQs
Construction Safety FAQs: Worker Safety and Rights

Work Zone Dangers FREE Work Zone Safety Information: Contact a Work Zone Accident Lawyer
Work zone safety: For work zone accidents, contact a lawyer

Frequently Asked Questions Construction Accidents & Injuries: FAQs to help you know your rights
Construction accident FAQ