Respiratory Protection for Carcinogen Exposure in the Workplace

/by

The air inside an industrial facility, a construction site, or a manufacturing plant can feel thick with the signs of hard work—dust, fumes, and unfamiliar odors. For many, this is just part of the job. Yet, hidden within that air can be invisible dangers, microscopic particles and vapors that pose a profound, long-term threat to a worker’s health. These airborne carcinogens, substances known to cause cancer, can lead to devastating occupational diseases years or even decades after exposure.

Federal and state laws, enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), establish strict requirements for protecting workers from these hazards. A key component of this protection is a properly managed respiratory protection program. 

What Are Workplace Carcinogens?

A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that promotes the formation of cancer. In a work environment, these substances can become airborne in several forms, making them easy to inhale without any immediate sign of harm. Once inhaled, these particles and fumes can lodge deep within the lungs or be absorbed into the bloodstream, where they can cause cellular damage that eventually leads to cancer.

Common workplace carcinogens that may require respiratory protection include:

  • Asbestos: Found in older insulation, building materials, and automotive parts.
  • Crystalline Silica: A component of sand, stone, and concrete that becomes airborne during cutting, grinding, or drilling.
  • Benzene: A chemical used in plastics, resins, and synthetic fibers, and found in crude oil and gasoline.
  • Formaldehyde: Used in manufacturing building materials and many household products.
  • Welding Fumes: A complex mixture of metallic oxides, silicates, and fluorides produced during welding.
  • Hexavalent Chromium: A toxic compound generated during processes like stainless steel welding and chrome plating.
  • Cadmium: Found in batteries, pigments, and coatings.

These substances can exist as dusts, mists, fumes, vapors, or gases. Without proper controls and protective equipment, workers can be exposed to dangerous levels day after day, often without realizing the risk.

How Does OSHA Regulate Exposure to Airborne Contaminants?

OSHA’s mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions. To achieve this, the agency sets Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for hundreds of hazardous substances. A PEL is the maximum concentration of an airborne contaminant to which a worker can be exposed over an eight-hour workday.

Employers are legally required to ensure that workers are not exposed to levels above the established PEL. To do this, they must implement a specific strategy known as the “Hierarchy of Controls.” This approach prioritizes the most effective and protective measures first. Respiratory protection, while important, is considered the last line of defense.

The Hierarchy of Controls includes:

  • Elimination or Substitution: The most effective method. This involves removing the hazardous substance entirely or replacing it with a safer alternative.
  • Engineering Controls: Physical changes to the workplace that isolate workers from the hazard. Examples include enclosing the work process, installing local exhaust ventilation systems to capture fumes at the source, or using wet methods to keep dust from becoming airborne.
  • Administrative and Work Practice Controls: Changes in how employees perform their jobs. This can include rotating workers through high-exposure areas to limit their time there, or changing procedures to minimize the generation of the contaminant.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Equipment worn by the worker to minimize exposure. Respirators fall into this category. PPE is only to be used when higher-level controls are not feasible or are insufficient to reduce exposure to below the PEL.

When is Respiratory Protection Required?

An employer cannot simply hand out dust masks and consider their duty fulfilled. Under OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, employers must provide respirators when they are necessary to protect the health of the employee.

Specifically, respirators are required in these situations:

  • When air monitoring shows that contaminant levels exceed the OSHA PEL.
  • During the time it takes to install or implement required engineering and work practice controls.
  • For maintenance and repair activities where engineering controls are not feasible.
  • In emergency situations, such as a chemical spill or equipment failure.
  • When a specific OSHA standard for a substance (like the asbestos or lead standards) requires them.

What Are the Different Types of Respirators?

Choosing the right respirator is vital for worker safety. Respirators are not one-size-fits-all, and the type required depends on the specific contaminant, its concentration in the air, and the work environment. They generally fall into two main categories.

Air-Purifying Respirators (APRs)

These devices use filters, cartridges, or canisters to remove specific contaminants from the air as the user breathes.

  • Filtering Facepiece Respirators: Often called disposable respirators or “dust masks,” these are negative-pressure devices where the entire facepiece is made of filtering material (e.g., N95 masks).
  • Elastomeric Respirators: Reusable facepieces (either half-mask or full-face) made of rubber or silicone that use replaceable cartridges or filters. Different cartridges are designed for different hazards (e.g., organic vapors, acid gases, or particulates).
  • Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs): These use a battery-powered blower to pull air through a filter and deliver it to the user’s facepiece or hood. This creates positive pressure, making it easier to breathe and providing a higher level of protection.

Supplied-Air Respirators (SARs)

These respirators deliver clean breathing air from an independent source, rather than filtering the surrounding air. They are used in environments with very high contaminant concentrations or where the atmosphere is oxygen-deficient.

  • Airline Respirators: A hose delivers breathing air from a stationary compressor or a large tank of compressed air.
  • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA): This is the type of equipment firefighters use. The user carries a tank of breathing air on their back, providing the highest level of protection but for a limited duration. It is typically reserved for emergency response or entry into unknown or highly toxic atmospheres.

What is a Written Respiratory Protection Program?

If an employer requires the use of respirators, they must develop and implement a comprehensive, site-specific written respiratory protection program. This is not optional. This program is the blueprint for managing all aspects of respirator use in the workplace to ensure it is done safely and effectively.

According to OSHA, the written program must include:

  • Procedures for selecting the correct respirators for each task.
  • Medical evaluations to ensure employees are physically able to wear a respirator.
  • Fit testing procedures for all tight-fitting respirators.
  • Procedures for the proper use of respirators during routine work and foreseeable emergencies.
  • Schedules and procedures for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, and disposing of respirators.
  • Procedures to ensure adequate air quality and flow for atmosphere-supplying respirators.
  • Comprehensive training for employees on respiratory hazards and the proper use of their equipment.
  • Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

Why is a Medical Evaluation Necessary Before Using a Respirator?

Wearing a tight-fitting respirator can place a significant physical burden on the body. It can make breathing more difficult and increase stress on the heart and lungs. Certain medical conditions, such as asthma or claustrophobia, can make it unsafe for an individual to use a respirator.

For this reason, OSHA requires employers to provide a confidential medical evaluation to any employee required to wear a respirator. This must be done before the employee is fit-tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. The evaluation, typically a questionnaire reviewed by a physician or other licensed health care professional, is provided at no cost to the employee. The employer only receives a recommendation on whether the worker is medically cleared to wear a respirator, not any specific medical information.

What Does a Respirator Fit Test Involve?

A respirator is useless if it does not form a complete seal against the user’s face. Gaps between the facepiece and the skin will allow contaminated air to leak in, bypassing the filter. A fit test is a mandatory procedure to verify that a specific make, model, and size of tight-fitting respirator achieves a proper seal on an individual’s face.

There are two approved methods for fit testing:

  • Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT): This is a pass/fail test that relies on the user’s sense of taste, smell, or reaction to an irritant to detect leakage. The tester exposes the user to a substance like isoamyl acetate (which smells like bananas), saccharin (sweet taste), or Bitrex (bitter taste). If the user can detect the substance while wearing the respirator, the fit is inadequate.
  • Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT): This method uses a machine to measure the actual amount of leakage into the facepiece. It provides a numerical result called a “fit factor.” This test is more precise and is required for certain high-hazard situations.

Fit testing must be conducted before a worker uses a respirator for the first time, at least annually thereafter, and anytime a new respirator is used or a physical change occurs that could affect the seal (such as significant weight gain or loss, or major dental work).

What Are an Employer’s Training and Maintenance Obligations?

Providing the equipment is only one part of an employer’s duty. Workers must also be trained on how to use it correctly, and the equipment must be properly maintained.

Training: Annual training must be provided to every employee required to wear a respirator. This training must cover:

  • Why the respirator is necessary and the extent of the respiratory hazard.
  • The capabilities and limitations of the assigned respirator.
  • How to inspect, put on, take off, and check the seal of the respirator.
  • Procedures for maintenance and storage.
  • How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent effective use.

Maintenance and Care: Employers are responsible for ensuring respirators are clean, sanitary, and in good working order. This includes procedures for:

  • Cleaning and Disinfecting: Shared respirators must be cleaned and disinfected before being worn by a different individual. Respirators issued to a single user should be cleaned as often as necessary.
  • Storage: Respirators must be stored in a way that protects them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, and moisture.
  • Inspection: All respirators must be inspected before each use and during cleaning. SCBAs require monthly inspections.
  • Repairs: Defective respirators must be removed from service and repaired or discarded.

What Are Common Failures in Respiratory Protection Programs?

A breakdown in any part of a respiratory protection program can lead to worker exposure and long-term illness. Some of the most common and dangerous failures include:

  • Failing to perform air monitoring to identify hazards and quantify exposure levels.
  • Choosing the wrong type of respirator or filter cartridge for the specific carcinogen present.
  • Neglecting to provide mandatory medical evaluations or annual fit tests.
  • Allowing workers with facial hair that interferes with the facepiece seal to wear tight-fitting respirators.
  • Failing to provide comprehensive, understandable annual training.
  • Not having a written respiratory protection program at all.
  • Improperly cleaning, storing, or maintaining the equipment.

These failures are not minor oversights; they are violations of federal law that place workers in direct danger.

What Legal Options Do Workers Have After Exposure?

When an employer’s failure to adhere to OSHA standards results in a worker developing cancer or another serious occupational disease, the consequences are devastating. While the workers’ compensation system is typically the primary source of benefits for medical bills and lost wages, it may not be the only avenue for justice.

In some cases, a worker may have a “third-party claim” against another entity whose negligence contributed to the illness. This could be the manufacturer of a defective respirator or the producer of the toxic substance. Additionally, in states like West Virginia, a worker may be able to file a “deliberate intent” lawsuit against their employer. This powerful legal tool applies in situations where an employer knowingly disregarded a specific unsafe working condition and intentionally exposes an employee to that extreme risk, leading to a serious injury or disease.

Contact Us to Protect Your Rights

Occupational cancer diagnoses are devastating and preventable. If you or a loved one developed a serious illness from workplace carcinogen exposure in West Virginia, you have legal rights. Our legal team specializes in OSHA, workers’ compensation, and personal injury law to help you. The attorneys at OSHA Injury Attorney are dedicated to fighting for workers and their families. We have the knowledge and resolve to investigate your work history, analyze potential violations of safety standards, and pursue the full compensation you need and deserve. Contact our office today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case. Let us help you hold negligent companies accountable.

Silicosis: Types of Legal Claims Related to Silica Exposure

/by

According to the American Lung Association, over 2 million workers in the United States are at risk for silica exposure. Individuals working in stone fabrication and construction workers are potentially exposed to the deadly and dangerous substance daily. This exposure can cause a serious, incurable lung disease called silicosis. If you are exposed to silica and receive a silicosis diagnosis, it’s important that you understand your legal rights. 

What is Silica and How is It Dangerous?

Crystalline silica is a common mineral found in many naturally-occurring materials used in industrial products such as concrete, sand, mortar, and stone. The material consists of miniscule particles, usually at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand found on beaches. It is made through high-energy operations like grinding, cutting, drilling, crushing, and sawing rock, stone, brick, mortar, concrete, and block. 

People can become exposed to silica during the manufacture of products like bricks, glass, ceramics, concrete, pottery, artificial stone, and countertops. They can also be exposed during the installation or demolition of these products. 

Exposure to silica is dangerous because it is known to cause multiple diseases, including silicosis. This is an incurable lung disease that can lead to severe disability and death. Exposure to silica can also cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and kidney disease. 

Silicosis is considered a progressive lung disease caused by a person’s exposure to silica dust. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, night sweats, fever, weight loss, leg swelling, and chest pain. 

While there is no cure for silicosis, treatment can help ease the symptoms. If you believe you have been exposed, it’s important to see your physician for testing. 

OSHA Silica Regulations and Standards

OSHA Directive CPL 03-00-023 updated the policies and procedures employers who deal with “Respirable Crystalline Silica” (RCS) must follow. The standard was made effective in 2020 and references scheduling systems, inspection procedures, field operations instructions, and enforcement. It applies to construction, maritime, and general industries. Some of the guidelines include:

  • The standards set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for RCS of 50 micrograms per cubic meter as an 8-hour weighted average.
  • Site inspections will be carried out by area offices on a regular schedule and in response to referrals and complaints. 
  • State plan participation is mandatory. 

Your Rights as a Worker According to OSHA

According to OSHA, all workers have a right to a safe workplace that doesn’t place them at risk of injury or illness. If your employer is subject to OSHA regulations, you also have the right to:

  • Regular training and information about workplace hazards and the ways you can prevent dangerous exposure to substances like silica
  • Proper safety gear and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Access to job site-specific records related to safety hazards and any records documenting past work-related illnesses or injuries
  • File a confidential complaint with OSHA and request that the agency conduct a site inspection without fearing employer retaliation

If you are concerned about silica exposure at your current job, you may wish to report the matter to OSHA. It’s also a good idea to schedule a healthcare screening for silicosis. 

Types of Legal Claims Related to Silica Exposure

If you’ve been diagnosed with silicosis or another silica-related disease due to exposure to this dangerous material, you have legal rights. There are two ways you can pursue a silica exposure lawsuit, depending on your circumstances. 

If the responsible party failed to take reasonable steps to protect you from exposure to silica dust, you may have a case based on negligence. This could include failing to tell workers about the presence of silica or failing to provide workers with necessary safety equipment to avoid inhaling harmful dust. 

It may also be possible to file a product liability claim after becoming ill with silicosis. For example, if you worked with products containing silica and the manufacturer failed to disclose this or failed to provide instructions for safe handling, you may have a strong legal case. This would be similar to suing asbestos products companies after being diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. 

Understand Your Rights If You’ve Been Exposed to Silica

OSHA’s standards are in place to protect the health and safety of workers. Unfortunately, many workers are still exposed to dangerous substances like silica and end up with serious health-related conditions. 

Most U.S. employers are subject to OSHA standards, meaning you have the right to expect these protections and to assert your rights if you’ve become ill. If you’ve been diagnosed with silicosis and would like more information about your rights, OSHA Injury Attorney can help. 

Keeping Roofers Safe – OSHA Regulations for Rooftop Work

/by

If you work on roofs as part of your job, you are employed in a dangerous profession. While skilled labor is necessary to install, inspect, maintain, and repair roofs, accidents and injuries happen with regularity. But there are safety standards in place to reduce risks and lower accident rates. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a variety of safety standards that apply to rooftop work. Here’s why these regulations are necessary and a list of many of the OSHA standards that apply to roofers. 

Roofing Accidents and Injuries Are Far Too Common

Roofing accidents are a serious issue in the United States. Each year, approximately 100 roofers die in work-related accidents, making it one of the most dangerous occupations in America. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the rate of injuries for roofing contractors in 2021 was around 3.6 for every 100 full-time workers, an increase from 3.3 just one year prior. In one year alone, roofers sustained over 5,900 nonfatal injuries, such as fractures, sprains, strains, and muscle tears. 

OSHA Regulations for Rooftop Work to Keep Roofers Safe

The above statistics are a stark reminder of the dangers of rooting work. They also highlight the importance of proper training for roofing workers and safety measures in this industry, as well as the need for employers to take responsibility for the welfare and safety of their workers. 

Fortunately, OSHA has created many safety standards that apply to roofers. Here are several essential safety requirements for this type of work:

1. Fall Protection

According to OSHA’s roof fall protection standards, there must be fall protection in place when roofers are working at heights six feet or more above another level on a construction site or four feet in other industries. When exposed to these heights, the standards for rooftop protection include:

  • Safety net systems
  • Guardrail systems and safety railings
  • Personal fall protection systems
  • Metal roof fall protection

There is no minimum height if employees are working over any dangerous machinery, equipment, or other hazards. Safety measures must be used. Also, OSHA defines what type of fall protection is required based on the type of roof and how close workers are to the roof’s edge. 

2. Ladder & Scaffolding Safety

Ladders and scaffolding provide workers with a convenient way to access upper work levels. But these materials can also be sources of serious injuries. Employers must train workers on how to safely use ladders and recognize common hazards, such as keeping areas around them clear. 

OSHA requires that scaffolding be designed by a qualified person and only erected and moved by trained workers. Employers must provide safe scaffold access and provide guardrails if the structure is more than 10 feet above a lower level. 

3. Roofing Materials Handling

OSHA requires that materials for roofing work should be kept in a convenient place for workers. For example, carpentry roofing materials should be placed near the roof, and other materials should be stored no further than six feet from the roof’s edge. Materials should also be stored so they don’t create a risk of injury to any workers.

4. Electrical Safety

Many roofers are exposed to overhead powerlines while working, which is a serious electrocution hazard. According to OSHA, employers must protect all workers from these types of risks by grounding, de-energizing the circuits, or guarding them using insulation. 

Many workers also use power tools like nail guns and saws to perform their jobs. OSHA requires that these tools have the proper safety attachments and that workers be adequately trained in their use. 

5. Personal Protective Equipment

Employers have a duty to protect workers from common and recognized workplace hazards. When a hazard cannot be eliminated, OSHA requires that employees wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Roofing workers should be provided with and trained in the use of various PPE such as eye protection, hearing protection, proper footwear, work gloves, and fall arrest or fall restraint equipment. 

6. Weather Hazards

Workers are required to monitor weather conditions and stop rooftop activities if the conditions are unsafe. Some hazardous conditions that may qualify include rain, snow, and heavy wind. Workers must also have the proper training and equipment to deal with extreme cold and heat conditions and only work when safe. 

Have You Been Injured in a Roofing Accident?

If you or a loved one has been hurt doing rooftop work at the direction of an employer, it’s possible that OSHA regulations were not followed. Most employers in the U.S. are subject to OSHA’s standards and ignoring them can lead to catastrophic results for workers and their families. If you’d like to learn more about OSHA’s roofing standards and your rights after an accident, OSHA Injury Attorney can help. 

Electrical Safety on Construction Sites

/by

Electrical hazards account for a large percentage of worker fatalities and construction job site accidents. But with the proper awareness and training programs, these tragedies are largely preventable. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) creates standards that protect worker safety in these situations. Here are some of the most common causes of electrical accidents on construction sites and how following OSHA standards can prevent them. 

Common Electrical Hazards on Construction Sites

According to OSHA, electrical accidents are responsible for nearly 350 construction worker deaths annually. In certain trades, working around electricity is necessary and unavoidable. But no worker should have to risk their life to do a job on a construction site. Some of the common electrical hazards responsible for injuries and deaths on construction sites include:

1. Overhead Powerlines

Most of this country’s electrical lines are still overhead. On construction sites, with scaffolding, cranes, and other large machinery, this can be hazardous if these live wires are touched or accidentally knocked down. When wires fall, they can come into contact with people, flammable objects, or vehicles, creating a deadly situation. 

2. Underground Powerlines

Now that more and more powerlines are being placed underground to protect them from the elements, they pose another risk. Construction workers need to know where these lines are located, or they risk severe injury or death if they strike a live line while digging. 

3. Damaged Equipment and Cords

Construction sites are rough environments. But damaged equipment and electrical cords are more than just an annoyance. They create a serious safety issue for workers. 

4. Inadequate Wiring, Improper Grounding, and Overloaded Circuits

Electrocution risks can vary from shock and burn events to arc flashes to explosions and fires. These hazards can be caused by a myriad of factors, including faulty wiring, reversed polarity, improper cord use, no ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) installed, and improper grounding. 

5. Operating Electrical Equipment in Wet Conditions

Electricity and water don’t mix. But most construction projects will continue moving forward, rain or shine. If electrical equipment gets wet, this increases the risk of electrocution. This is particularly the case if the equipment has frayed cords, is corroded, or isn’t protected with a GFCI. 

6. Failing to Use Fire Retardant Materials

Using materials that are not appropriate for a construction environment can create an electrical hazard. For example, a single spark in an enclosed area could lead to a deadly fire that could be prevented if the right materials had been in place. 

7. Improper Use of Electrical Equipment

Construction workers either using electrical equipment without proper training or using equipment for purposes other than what it was designed are other causes of these serious accidents. 

Safety Tips to Prevent Construction Site Electrical Accidents

OSHA has created workplace standards for a reason – they reduce or eliminate hazards, prevent accidents, and save lives. Here are how some of those standards can prevent electrical accidents on construction sites:

  1. Personal Protection — Employees should wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to safeguard against various hazards. Use of electrical gloves, footwear, and eye protection when working with electrical materials or equipment is recommended. 
  2. Testing Equipment — Workers should never handle equipment or wiring if they haven’t received the proper training or know-how to test the items to prevent potentially deadly shocks. Before use, all equipment should be inspected for missing ground prongs, frayed cords, and cracked tool casings. 
  3. Voltage Regulators and Circuit Breakers — These are vital pieces of safety equipment that can prevent a small issue from becoming a dangerous problem. Surge protection should always be used to shut down power in an emergency. OSHA requires that ground-fault protection be in place on all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-amp receptacles. 
  4. Proper Use of Extension Cords — OSHA requires that extension cords used on constructions site be of the three-wire types and designed for extra-hard or hard usage. Cords should not be pinched, tangled, or wrapped around metal structures. 
  5. Use Electrical Equipment as Intended — According to OSHA, certified, labeled, and listed equipment shall be installed and used as intended. In other words, it’s not ok to modify or alter equipment, which may create an electrical hazard. 

What If You’ve Been Injured on a Construction Site?

If you’ve suffered a workplace injury due to an electrical hazard on a construction site, it’s important to understand that your employer is obligated to provide a safe workplace that protects you from these types of accidents. Appropriate electrical safety measures and training are vital parts of workplace preparedness. To learn more about asserting your rights and protecting yourself from electrical hazards in the workplace, contact OSHA injury Attorney directly. 

Preventing Deadly Scaffolding Accidents

/by

Employees in the construction industry often work at high heights. In order to accommodate for this, scaffolds are constructed. While scaffolds may provide access to otherwise unreachable levels, scaffold protections and safety standards aren’t always adhered to. In fact, scaffolding accidents lead to numerous injuries and dozens of deaths each year. For one year that Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) data is available, there were 61 scaffolding-related fatalities recorded, all of which could have been avoided by compliance with OSHA standards. 

When employees work on a job site, they have a duty to adhere to workplace safety standards; however, they also have a right to a safe workplace, which is often the responsibility of the employer. Preventing deadly scaffolding accidents is possible when all of those on a job site, including employers, do their part. Consider the following tips for preventing deadly scaffolding accidents, and call our lawyers directly if you have more questions about your rights or how to stay safe–

Preventing Scaffolding Accidents

When safety regulations are followed, workers are properly trained, and equipment is effective and properly used, it is possible to prevent scaffolding accidents that could lead to devastating injuries. Tips for preventing scaffolding accidents include:

  • Ensure that all workers on a job site are properly trained. When it comes to preventing deadly scaffolding accidents, ensuring that all workers on a job site are properly trained is a critical starting point. Workers should be trained on all aspects of working on and around scaffolding, including:
  • Fall protection standards;
  • Equipment standards and best practices;
  • Scaffold defects and how to identify them;
  • Common scaffold-related hazards and risks;
  • How to work safely on scaffolds; and
  • How much a scaffold can bear in terms of load capacity/weight.

In addition to the above, it’s also important that workers are trained regarding to whom they should report safety violations and what to do if they notice an unsafe situation. 

  • Implement all safety regulations. All safety regulations that are established by OSHA should be properly implemented These include, but are not limited to, regulations pertaining to accessing different levels of scaffolding, the use of fall prevention tactics and harnesses, secure attachment of scaffolds to buildings, keeping scaffolds a safe distance from power lines, inspecting scaffolds and other equipment before each shift, ensuring that scaffolds have proper guardrails, ensuring that each scaffold and landing is equipped with non-slip tread to prevent slip and falls, using safety netting to protect other workers from falling objects, and more. If you have more questions about all of the safety regulations related to scaffolding, talk to an OSHA attorney who can help you to find answers. 
  • Use basic safety precautions and common sense. In addition to making sure that OSHA rules and regulations are followed, it’s also important to use basic safety precautions and common sense when working on or around scaffolding. For example, working in wet conditions can create slip and fall hazards, and should be avoided. Additionally, it is important that workers always keep their hard hats and other safety gear on at all times, always use caution when climbing ladders to different scaffolding levels, and never engage in running or horseplay on scaffolds. Generally staying alert and aware of one’s surroundings, inspecting a site before beginning work, and working at a safe pace is key, too. Of course, any safety violations that are noticed should immediately be reported. It is against the law for your employer to retaliate against you for reporting an unsafe condition in the workplace. 

Know Your Rights if You’re Injured at Work

When an unsafe condition exists and workers are injured as a direct result, it’s important to know what the process is for recovering compensation. Through the workers’ compensation system, a worker who is injured on the job has the right to file a claim for benefits, including medical benefits and some lost wage benefits. In cases where a third party was to blame for the accident, a third-party liability claim can also yield compensation for non-economic benefits. 

Call OSHA Injury Attorney for Help 

If you are injured at work or have concerns about the safety of your workplace, you are not alone. If you have been injured as a result of a scaffolding accident you should contact an OSHA Injury Attorney immediately so they can provide you with advice about what your legal rights are, and represent you if you decide to pursue damages. To learn more about scaffolding safety regulations and what to do when injured in a scaffolding accident, please complete our contact form and we will forward your information to a qualified workplace injury attorney.