The Fatal Four in Construction – Struck By
Date Posted: 12/12/2023
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), struck-by incidents occur when a moving object strikes a worker. These struck-by incidents are a leading cause of death among construction workers. The four most common struck-by hazards are struck by a flying, falling, swinging, or rolling object, both large and small, from vehicles and heavy machinery to rocks, gravel, and tools. Construction workers have two times the risk of struck-by injuries than all other industries.
Categories and Examples of Struck by Hazards?
A struck-by hazard is anything at your worksite that could produce injuries by forcible contact or impact between the injured person and an object or equipment. Struck-by risks fall into four categories:
Flying object
According to OSHA, “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 fatalities. Examples of struck-by-flying object hazards:
A piece of material separates from a tool, machine, or other equipment and strikes a worker.
An object is ejected under power by a tool or equipment usually designed for that purpose, such as a nail from a nail gun.
Compressed air used to power tools or clean surfaces causes flying object hazards.
Falling object
Struck-by-falling object hazards involve objects falling from an elevation to a lower level. Injuries from these hazards include instances where the injured person is crushed, pinned, or caught under a falling object. Examples of struck-by-falling object hazards:
A worker is struck by a load, or parts of a load, that falls from a vehicle or other equipment.
A crane boom, or another piece of equipment, breaks, collapses, and strikes a worker.
A section from a structure being cut apart falls and strikes a person.
Swinging object
Struck-by-swinging object hazards usually exist when materials are being mechanically lifted and have the potential to swing and strike workers. The load may swing, twist, or turn, especially in windy conditions. Depending on where the worker is standing and the force behind the load, the worker may fall to another level after being struck and sustain even more significant injuries. In addition to swinging, loads can slip from their riggings and strike workers working below. Therefore, loads must be adequately rigged to prevent slippage. Examples of struck-by-swinging object hazards:
A worker is hit while working within a crane’s swing radius.
While lifting a load, a crane boom collapses and strikes a worker.
A gust of wind unexpectedly pushed a prefabricated wall while it was lifted into position, causing it to strike a worker.
Rolling object
Struck-by-rolling object hazards exist when a worker is exposed to objects rolling, moving, or sliding on the same level at which the worker is located. This hazard includes instances involving moving vehicles or equipment. Examples of struck-by-rolling object hazards:
A road crew worker is struck by a vehicle.
A mobile crane runs over a ground crew member.
Worker was performing repair operations on vehicles or equipment and was struck by a truck.
Worker was flagging traffic and was struck by a vehicle in the work zone.
How Can You Protect Yourself from Being Struck by Objects or Equipment?
Awareness of your surroundings and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) can go a long way in avoiding injuries at the construction site. Therefore, employers need to alert all workers of areas with more significant potential for struck-by accidents and limit employee access.
Never place yourself or anyone else under a suspended load.
Stay outside the swing radius of cranes and equipment.
Never position yourself between moving and fixed objects.
Wear high-visibility clothing (retro-reflective) near equipment and vehicles.
Check vehicles before use to ensure they are in safe operating condition.
Securely and neatly store loose materials.
Secure items that are stored at a height.
Store heavy objects close to the floor or ground level.
Wear the proper personal protective equipment for your environment, such as steel-toed / safety-toed shoes and a hard hat.
Always walk behind moving equipment if possible.
Never obstruct your vision by overloading moving equipment.
Only operate equipment you are adequately trained and authorized to use.
Make sure all safety devices on your equipment are in good working order before use.
Use extra caution around corners and near doorways.
When large equipment is being operated, always make eye contact with the operator before approaching.
Secure all loads and lift them evenly to prevent them from slipping.
Tether tools to your work belt when working from heights.
Create and manage work zones that separate pedestrians from vehicles and equipment.
Resources
National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-By Incidents | NIOSH | CDC
RR-2022_Struck-by_Survey.pdf (cpwr.com)
Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2021 (bls.gov)
