When it comes to the construction industry, scaffolding is one of the most important elements of any building site. Scaffolding allows builders to complete their construction work over several stories, safe in the knowledge that they have a stable platform to work from. Scaffolding has come a long way from the very old wooden slats that used to make up its creation, and is now formed of a strong steel material held together in a structurally sound manner.

As scaffolding still involves working from a height, despite every best attempt to ensure that it is sturdy and structurally sound, there is always a chance that injuries may occur if a worker was to fall through or off the scaffolding structure. Poorly constructed scaffolding, or even if it hasn’t been correctly supported, can lead to a whole range of potential problems and very serious injuries if the fall is high.

There are many rules and regulations in place to take the health of workers who use scaffolding very seriously, and this involves a thorough testing of the structure before it is used. Each work site in general will have a health and safety representative who ensures that each member of staff is safe and aware of their surroundings at all times.

If an employee is to fall off scaffolding there are a number of serious injuries that they could suffer from. The most common of these injuries are broken limbs such as arms or legs which are usually used in an attempt to break a fall. Unfortunately if the height is quite substantial, such as a fall from several storeys, the results could be far more serious and in some circumstances could even result in death.

If you have been injured in a workplace accident then you could be eligible to make a compensation claim against your employer, if you feel they have been negligible toward you. This claim could cover any medical expenses as well as any loss of income you have incurred throughout your injury.

Find out more about accidents at work