Justin Murphy, @citizenmurphy
5:23 p.m. EDT September 19, 2016Rochester, MN
A roofer is in critical condition at Strong Memorial Hospital after he and two co-workers fell from the scaffolding Monday afternoon at a house in northeast Rochester, NY.
There were four men standing on scaffolding at a house on Melville Street, near Culver Road, when one of the pump jack poles supporting the scaffolding collapsed, according to the Rochester Police Department.
Three of the four men fell and were taken to the hospital. One of them was in critical condition later in the afternoon, police said.
Their names have not been released. Representatives of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) visited the site after the incident.
Here are some safety requirements for scaffolding systems.
Erect scaffold systems according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
The manufacturer of every scaffold requires that bracing be
secured with a minimum of 3 -inch type AB screws or the equivalent. Consensus standard ANSI A10.8-2011 Safety Requirements for Scaffolding also states that this screw type and length, or the equivalent, be used.
Provide fall protection on scaffolds.
Protect employees on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level from falling by providing either a personal fall arrest system or guardrails.
Pump jack scaffolds.
Secure poles to the structure using rigid triangular bracing or the equivalent located at the top, bottom and other points as necessary.