A scaffolding employed at a construction site in Fort Lauderdale collapsed, causing three workers to suffer casualties. Rescue workers arrived immediately and transported injured personnel to the hospital as soon as they arrived. Thus, authorities are now investigating the cause of the incident further.
Scaffolding Incident at Fort Lauderdale Construction Site
On Thursday morning, Jan. 4, at a construction site in Fort Lauderdale, three individuals were injured when the scaffolding they were on collapsed, causing them to fall 15 feet to the ground below.
In response to a complaint of an accident at a workplace, emergency personnel were dispatched to the location at 475 SW 27th Ave. All of the victims were lying on the ground when they came.
The police reported that two of the victims were taken to Broward Health for treatment, where they were identified as being in critical condition. As per the findings of the investigation, a third victim was receiving medical attention for a non-life-threatening injury. At the time, the identity of the victims was still unknown.
Moreover, scaffolding equipment and timber planks were observed dispersed across the ground, caught in live footage. Uncertainty exists on the cause of this collapse. As a result, officials have stated that it is now unknown whether the workers fell from the scaffolding or whether there was a failure in the scaffolding they were working on.
Accordingly, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also known as OSHA, building inspectors are scheduled to show up at the scene to investigate the incident further. In addition, while the investigation continues, construction on the site has been halted temporarily.
On the other hand, Eva Santana, who lives directly across the street from the collapse, concluded that it was an accident. Another thing that Santana claimed was that she was woken up by the noise of the collapse and witnessed two males being loaded onto stretchers and transported in an ambulance.
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Risks of Scaffolding on Construction Sites
Since scaffolding dangers are responsible for significant injuries and even fatalities every year, it is essential to understand how to prevent danger and have a set of regulations that are adequate for scaffolding safety. Even though there are numerous varieties of scaffolds, all of them share many kinds of risks and hazards. Yet, safety precautions may be taken to compensate for these dangers.
The following is a list of common construction threats that can be encountered while working at heights:
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Climbing on scaffolding
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Improper safety measures when raising and dismantling scaffolding
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Lack of guardrails
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Planks slipping or breaking
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Overhead electrical wires and risk of electrocution
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Overloading platforms
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Rolling scaffolds
All employees on construction projects that have the potential to be at risk of falling are required to undergo training in working at heights. As mentioned, personnel functioning at three meters or above 10 feet are obligated to wear fall protection equipment appropriate for the specific situation.
Furthermore, the majority of scaffold hazards can be prevented by adhering to the appropriate safety protocol, following the instructions provided by the manufacturer, and being on the lookout for any possible dangers or hazards that may be present on a project site.
Related Article: 9 Construction Safety Guidelines to Work Securely and Avoid Accidents On Site
