Weekly Safety Meeting – Struck By Safety

Struck-By Safety

Being struck by an object on the job is one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths in the construction industry. According to OSHA, struck-by hazards are one of the four most deadly hazards in the construction industry and account for around 10% of all industry fatalities annually with 75% of those fatalities occurring from being struck by heavy equipment such as cranes and trucks. Struck by injuries may result from falling, swinging, or rolling objects where the injury is created by impact.

A struck-by accident occurs when a person is forcefully struck by an object, wherein the force of contact is provided by the object. Workers are most often struck by heavy equipment and moving vehicles, falling or flying objects, and concrete or masonry walls being constructed causing severe physical trauma that usually leads to death. Workers and employers should always be mindful of hazards and being alert to one’s surroundings is critical when it comes to preventing struck-by injuries.

“Struck-By” Hazards

• Struck-by flying object: A flying object hazard exists when something has been thrown, hurled, or is being propelled across space. It can include instances when a piece of material separates from a tool, machine, or other equipment striking a worker and resulting in injuries or fatality. Also a hazard exists if an object is ejected under power by a tool or equipment usually designed for that purpose such as a nail from a nail gun.

• Struck-by falling object: Results from being struck by a falling object or equipment when the source of injury is falling from an elevation to a lower level, including instances where the injured person is crushed, pinned, or caught under a falling object other than collapsing material.

• Struck-by swinging object: When materials are mechanically lifted, they have the potential to swing and strike workers. As the load is lifted, the materials may swing, twist, or turn. The workers can be hit by the swinging load. Windy conditions can cause the load to swing more. The force behind the load may cause the worker to fall to another level and sustain greater injuries. Suspended moving loads can slip from their riggings and strike workers.

• Struck-by rolling object: An object that is rolling, moving, or sliding on the same level as the worker can overcome the worker. This Includes instances in which the worker is struck or run over by a moving vehicle without being caught under it or instances in which the worker is struck-by a sliding object or equipment on the same level.

Safe Practices

• Establish a route to allow employees and pedestrian to pass to and from places of employment at a certain distance without passing under, over, behind, or between equipment and vehicles.

  o Workers shall not be allowed to pass through areas where there is a danger of being struck by moving vehicles.

• Inspect all vehicles before and after every shift to see if everything is in good working condition, especially the brakes, rear lights, and rear view mirrors.

• Don’t forget to lock out and tag out before clearing a jam, repairing, or servicing a machine or vehicle. 

• Never place your body under or between powered equipment unless it is de-energized. Immediately report and replace equipment that isn’t working properly.

• If the equipment doesn’t have a reverse signal alarm loud enough to be heard against the surrounding noise level, designate an employee to signal when it’s safe to back up when the operator has an obstructed view to the rear.

• Never operate if there is not enough illumination.

• Be careful when lifting objects whether manually or using tools or cranes.

• An accident can be as simple as getting your fingers and toes crushed or as deadly as being struck by a heavy object falling on you.

• Wearing the proper personal protective equipment is very critical to surviving struck-by and accidents, but you can also avoid them by being alert and staying focused on your tasks.

• Adequate awareness of your surroundings and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) can go a long way in avoiding injuries at the construction site. It is important for employers to alert all workers of areas where there is greater potential for struck-by accidents to occur and to limit employee access to those areas.

A hard hat on your head…keeps you from being dead!!!