Claim for your Scaffolding Accident

Scaffolding accidents are a big risk for those that work in the construction industry. The most recent figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that during 2011/2012, 14% of all reported non-fatal injuries were as a result of a fall from height, such as those falls from scaffolding; that's a staggering 15,562 reported accidents.

While there is always an increased risk of work injury for those working at height, most construction accidents of this kind result from failure to follow safety procedures. These procedures include an employer's responsibility to provide proper training as well as routine inspections and maintenance.

Types of scaffolding

There are three basic types of scaffolds from which workers are at risk of sustaining serious personal injury during accidents at work:

• Supported scaffolds - these consist of one or more platforms which are supported by rigid, load-bearing members, such as poles, legs, frames and outriggers. 
• Suspended scaffolds - these are at least one platform suspended by ropes or other non-rigid overhead support. 
• Other scaffolds - these may include man lifts and personal hoists, which are often regarded as vehicles of machinery but can be seen as another type of supported scaffold.

Scaffolding accidents that result in personal injury don't just include trips and falls, an employee dropping an item from a height could seriously harm a co-worker or a member of the public too. Work injuries could also be caused by ladders or scaffolding that has not been securely attached to a vehicle.

Common accidents

Some of the most common scaffolding accidents and their resulting injuries include:

• Broken limbs, neck, back and spinal injuries resulting from falls from height due to lack of fall protection 
• Crush injuries owing to the collapse of scaffold caused by instability or overloading
• Head injuries from being struck by falling tools, work material and debris
• Electrocution and burn injuries due to proximity of the scaffold to overhead power lines 
• Insecure bracing, 
• Use of shoddy construction materials
• Lack of attention to safety procedures can all lead to scaffolding accidents.

In a recent study, 72 % of workers injured in scaffolding accidents said the accident was caused either by planking giving way, or by an employee slipping or being struck by a falling object.
Work-related scaffolding accidents can also happen during construction if scaffolding is incorrectly constructed or installed, causing the scaffolding to collapse and injure anyone on, beneath or around the scaffold.

Professions at risk

Bricklayers, painters, miners and electricians all use scaffolds which can put them at high risk of work-related accidents. 

It is estimated that employers lose 90 million work days every year because they are not taking the necessary steps to protect workers on scaffolds and prevent injuries and deaths.

Legislation

The Work at Height Regulations came into effect in 2005, and apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall that could cause injury, such as on scaffolding sites. They are in place to prevent scaffolding accidents and similar incidents from occuring. 

Employers who follow and enforce these guidelines can reduce the number of scaffolding accidents that take place and the number of personal injuries that result. Those employees that do not follow these guidelines may face having an accident at work compensation claim made against them.

Making a compensation claim

If you have suffered an injury following a scaffolding accident or any other construction accident, then the experts at YouClaim are here to help you make a scaffolding accident claim.

We work on a strictly no win, no fee basis and we will assign the very best no win, no fee solicitor to represent your case and fight for the most compensation available for your personal injury.

YouClaim have a fantastic success rate and we are sure that we can help you to claim the compensation that you rightly deserve.