Scaffolding is one of the most dangerous components of any construction site in Georgia. It requires expert placement and sturdy materials to withhold high winds and hours of grueling work. Only one small mistake can cause the structure to collapse and injure or kill several employees. Construction employees have to be aware of common scaffolding mistakes if they hope to avoid them and keep their fellow workers safe.
Employee failures
The most common cause of scaffolding accidents is human error. This error can result from failures by multiple people. One group is the team that put together the scaffolding in the first place. Constructing scaffolding requires following a set plan with redundancies to remove the chance for errors. Just one missing attachment point or guardrail can collapse the entire structure or an employee falling off while engaging in their regular duties.
Other failures attributed to human error include poor maintenance and a lack of worker training. Employees must know when and how to fix different components so they work correctly. They must also be aware of how to work and act on a scaffold or when putting up a scaffold. Mistakes attributed to one simple error can lead to severe injury and thousands of dollars in workers compensation claims.
Material failures
Even when employees do everything right, there is always the chance of material failures. The manufacturer could compromise components and scaffolds. Bolts can fail and metal can bend in unpredictable ways. These failures are sometimes invisible and cannot be avoided. They may lead to lawsuits against manufacturers and other companies that may have contributed to the faulty part. But employees who are putting up scaffolding should still check components and be on the lookout for any faulty parts. It is much safer to secure redress for faulty parts before a tragic collapse rather than after.