Construction Attorney Discusses Scaffolding Injuries on Construction Sites and Construction Accidents
January 23, 2012 By The Mason Law Firm
Every year, there are thousands of scaffolding injuries resulting from scaffold use and scaffolding accidents. Scaffolding injuries occur because construction sites are dangerous places to work and there are different subcontractors performing different duties, sometimes in the same area. Scaffolding injuries can result in serious injuries, which is why it is very important to use an attorney experienced in construction site accidents.
There are many subcontractors on a construction site. Depending on the site of the project, there may be painters, stucco subcontractors, drywall/plasterers, grading subcontractors, plumbers, concrete/flat work subcontractors, and framers and gardeners.
Some of these subcontractors often times use scaffolding, which they share with each other. For example, a stucco subcontractor and a painter may share the scaffolding. Sometimes, scaffolding is used in an area where there are multiple subcontractors. For example, a masonry subcontractor could be on top of the scaffolding while a grading subcontractor could be grading the land around the scaffolding. While in the process of grading the area, the grader's Caterpillar Grader can strike the scaffolding and knocked it over.
Scaffolding should be installed carefully by a qualified person, as defined by Cal-OSHA, who must study the load to be put on the scaffolding, the safety code requirements, and the bracing on each scaffold plank. A properly designed scaffold should use regulation-sized planks and consist of levels which are easily accessible. A properly installed scaffold should contain proper fall protection, including bracing, guardrails and safety harnesses.
Who is responsible for the safety of employees using the scaffolding? Any subcontractor that designs and installs the scaffolding, anyone using it, and the general contractor because part of his job includes holding safety meetings and inspecting scaffolding before each use.
An improperly installed scaffolding can collapse. An improperly fastened scaffolding can fall over. If there is insufficient fall protection, an employee can fall off the scaffolding. When accidents such as these occur, they often result in serious injuries.
Because of the severity of such injuries and intricacies between subcontractors, it is very important for an injured party to use an attorney familiar with construction accidents and construction sites. Mason Rashtian who manages The Mason Law Firm is such an attorney. Before opening his own practice, he defended construction site accidents, including scaffolding accidents. Hence, he is very familiar with construction site accidents.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mason Rashtian
Mason Rashtian has received an “AV” Rating with Martindale-Hubble, the highest possible rating an attorney can achieve in both legal ability and legal standard. The Mason Law Firm handles cases all throughout California, including, but not limited to, the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV), the San Fernando Valley (SFV), Los Angeles, Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, Orange County, San Bernardino, Ventura, Oxnard, Riverside, Bakersfield and Kern County.
Copyright The Mason Law Firm
More information about The Mason Law Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Some of these subcontractors often times use scaffolding, which they share with each other. For example, a stucco subcontractor and a painter may share the scaffolding. Sometimes, scaffolding is used in an area where there are multiple subcontractors. For example, a masonry subcontractor could be on top of the scaffolding while a grading subcontractor could be grading the land around the scaffolding. While in the process of grading the area, the grader's Caterpillar Grader can strike the scaffolding and knocked it over.
Scaffolding should be installed carefully by a qualified person, as defined by Cal-OSHA, who must study the load to be put on the scaffolding, the safety code requirements, and the bracing on each scaffold plank. A properly designed scaffold should use regulation-sized planks and consist of levels which are easily accessible. A properly installed scaffold should contain proper fall protection, including bracing, guardrails and safety harnesses.
Who is responsible for the safety of employees using the scaffolding? Any subcontractor that designs and installs the scaffolding, anyone using it, and the general contractor because part of his job includes holding safety meetings and inspecting scaffolding before each use.
An improperly installed scaffolding can collapse. An improperly fastened scaffolding can fall over. If there is insufficient fall protection, an employee can fall off the scaffolding. When accidents such as these occur, they often result in serious injuries.
Because of the severity of such injuries and intricacies between subcontractors, it is very important for an injured party to use an attorney familiar with construction accidents and construction sites. Mason Rashtian who manages The Mason Law Firm is such an attorney. Before opening his own practice, he defended construction site accidents, including scaffolding accidents. Hence, he is very familiar with construction site accidents.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mason Rashtian
Mason Rashtian has received an “AV” Rating with Martindale-Hubble, the highest possible rating an attorney can achieve in both legal ability and legal standard. The Mason Law Firm handles cases all throughout California, including, but not limited to, the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV), the San Fernando Valley (SFV), Los Angeles, Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, Orange County, San Bernardino, Ventura, Oxnard, Riverside, Bakersfield and Kern County.
Copyright The Mason Law Firm
More information about The Mason Law Firm
View all articles published by The Mason Law Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
