Final answer:
It's true that scaffold accidents typically occur due to failures in planking or support, or the lack of guardrails or fall protection. These factors are crucial for ensuring the safety of workers on scaffolds and minimizing the risk of falls and other accidents. Proper construction, use of safety equipment, and worker training are essential preventive measures.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that scaffold accidents are often attributed to factors such as the planking or support giving way, or to the absence of guardrails or fall protection. These causes are well-documented in industry safety reports and standards developed by organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Scaffolding must be erected according to safety guidelines, and the use of guardrails and fall protection systems is critical for preventing accidents.
In the example provided, the safety engineer is employing a technique known as 'sampling' to determine the leading causes of industrial accidents at her plant. If she discovers that many accidents result from the failure to follow instructions, she could conclude that better communication and training might reduce the number of incidents. Similarly, when analyzing scaffold accidents, investigators often review whether scaffolding was constructed correctly and whether safety instructions were adequately communicated and followed.
Ensuring that all planking and supports can bear the weight applied to them during both setup and use is imperative. Likewise, the existence and proper utilization of guardrails and fall protection can significantly reduce the likelihood of falls, which are common and potentially fatal occurrences on scaffolds. Proper training for workers on how to safely use the scaffolds is also a crucial preventive measure.