White and Williams LLP

OSHA Scaffolding Regulations

Scaffolding accidents are all-too-common on construction sites throughout the United States and like many types of "accidents," these worksite incidents are often preventable. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has put into place specific scaffold regulations that are intended to reduce or eliminate scaffold accidents from occurring.

OSHA scaffolding regulations include extensive requirements related to size, design, building materials and use of a scaffold. Listed below is a very brief overview of the OSHA scaffolding regulations: 

• How the scaffold is made - The scaffold must be designed, manufactured and installed according to OSHA regulations, including weight-bearing requirements:  
• the scaffold and components all must be able to support its own weight, plus 4 times the potential maximum load  
• each scaffold suspension rope has to be strong enough to support 6 times the potential maximum load  
• How the scaffold is used - A Philadelphia construction employer must ensure that every scaffold is properly inspected at initial installation and before each shift. If there is any indication that part of a scaffold is defective or in disrepair, it must immediately be taken out of use.

If your scaffolding accident occurred because of a manufacturer defect-such as a scaffold that wasn't constructed to withstand the required amount of weight-you may be able to file a product liability claim against a negligent third party. A product liability claim or personal injury lawsuit may help you to collect the compensation you need in order to pay your medical bills and make up for lost wages suffered after a scaffolding accident.

To learn more about issues of liability in scaffolding accidents, visit our article library.

A Philadelphia product liability lawyer can talk to you about your options for filing an injury claim and help to fight for compensation. You shouldn't have to suffer and pay for expensive medical bills that were caused by a manufacturer defect. Contact a Philadelphia product liability lawyer at White & Williams LLP today. We will provide a free, no obligation consultation on your case. 1-877-944-8396