Although there are times when scaffolding makes it easier to complete a job, there is no denying the fact that it also increases the risk of an accident, injuries and even death.
Recently, three people were injured in a scaffolding accident in downtown Brooklyn.
According to police, the scaffolding, which was surrounding a Starbucks, came falling to the ground at approximately 11 a.m.
As a result of the fall, two pedestrians and one construction worker were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
A witness who watched the scene unfold from across the street said, “It happened very fast. They were fixing it this morning, but they didn’t fix it very well and it came down.”
Another person said, “It’s bad construction work — lots of little accidents. They aren’t being careful.”
New Force Construction Corp., a company headquartered in Ridgewood, is responsible for the project. However, it did not return phone calls from the media seeking more information on what went wrong.
Even when construction companies and workers do their best to prevent an accident, there is no guaranteed way to avoid trouble. It only takes one mistake to lead to a serious accident, such as this one.
As a construction worker, you should never hesitate to change your daily approach in an attempt to improve your overall level of safety. In the event that you suffer an injury, such as the result of a scaffolding accident, receive immediate medical treatment and then report the incident to your employer.
Furthermore, if your medical team suggests that you take time away from your job to recover, learn more about the workers’ compensation system and your legal rights.
Source: New York Post, “Scaffolding collapse injures 3 in Brooklyn,” Amanda Woods and Ruth Weissmann, April 14, 2018