Scaffolding
USASan Francisco Scaffolding
Scaffold Industry News
The San Francisco area is frequently under construction, as scaffolding and construction crews can be seen littering the city. Whether it is a massive restoration project for various historic sites or bolstering the strength of the Bay Bridge, construction initiatives are prevalent in The City by the Bay. And as such, the need for quality scaffolds is evident, especially considering as construction projects increase around the city, so do San Francisco scaffolding accidents.
Scaffolding can be seen erected around corporate buildings, hotels, residential buildings and huge skyscrapers all over San Francisco. The scaffolds can be attached to the building or freestanding, depending on the project requirements. The importance of quality scaffolding is critical, as most of these projects take place on busy streets with traffic and pedestrians. Any scaffold failure can turn into a major accident, causing massive destruction, injury and death. With some of the more complex construction projects in San Francisco lately, the quality scaffold need is further bolstered.
Recently, eight restoration projects around San Francisco and the surrounding area were uncovered. As part of this $1 million restoration effort, eight historic sites around the city received major renovations. These historic sites include the Fallon Building, Haas-Lilienthal House, Japanese YMCA Building and Spreckels Temple of Music, among others. One of the major facets of these restoration endeavors were the use of quality scaffolds, which once they came down, revealed beautifully restored historic buildings.
The major project in San Francisco involves the seismic retrofitting of the Bay Bridge. After the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, it became clear that the eastern span of the bridge needed to be strengthened to stand up in the event of another earthquake. Construction began in 2002 to replace the eastern span to make it earthquake resistant, and is expected to be completed and open to traffic in 2013. Estimates for the cost of the project loom around $6.2 billion.
There have been a few scaffolding accidents on the San Francisco Bay Bridge since construction began. Workers have fallen from scaffolds due to harnesses and other safety equipment failing, and scaffold cables have actually snapped, causing the structures to fall. It is critical for scaffolds to be erected securely and in compliance with OSHA regulations, and as such, imperative that proper safety equipment and training be provided to workers and crews.
The importance of San Francisco scaffolding safety is further emphasized by the overwhelming amount of construction projects currently underway around the city. Whether freestanding scaffolds are used for lighthouse restorations or 200-foot scaffolds are used for the Bay Bridge seismic retrofit, safety is the first priority to prevent scaffolding accidents, protecting workers and the general public alike.