Managing Partner
If you work in the construction industry, it is very likely that you will frequently work on scaffolding while participating in your role. Scaffolding structures have the potential to be very dangerous, both for those who are working on them, and those in the surrounding area. There are many legal regulations in place set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that aim to heighten the safety of scaffolding for the purpose of preventing accidents and injuries.
The OSHA regulations must be complied with by all employers who used scaffolds, and all managers and employees. If you become injured by scaffolds as an employee or a visitor to a construction site, it is likely that you will be eligible to receive some form of compensation for the pain and suffering that you endured.
OSHA regulations for scaffolding
Scaffolding needs to be designed to support much more weight than it will ever need to bear. This regulation is in place to ensure that scaffolding does not collapse due to weight. OSHA regulations state that every scaffold should be able to hold its own weight and, in addition, four times the maximum load. If a scaffold cannot successfully do this without collapsing, the maximum load should be lowered and the scaffold be fully repaired and inspected.
In addition to these weight restrictions for scaffolds, OSHA asserts that all equipment in relation to scaffolding be inspected before use. As an employee, you should make sure that belts, drop lines, anchor points and lanyards are fully functional before using them.
In the state of New York, employers assume absolute liability for any injury that occurs on a construction site. In order to make a legal claim, you do not need to prove your status as an employee, only that you were injured on the construction site. In addition, it is highly likely that you will be able to claim compensation to help support the wages you lost during recovery and the medical bills that you had to pay.
It is important that you stand up for your right to compensation if you were injured as a worker on a New York construction site.
