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N
safety management
Prevent Deadly
Struck-By Accidents
By George Kennedy
A
“struck-by” accident occurs when someone is struck
by a vehicle, equipment, materials or other objects.
Struck-by accidents are among the four leading
causes of workplace fatalities. In 2010, 409 fatalities
— nine percent of all workplace fatalities — were caused
by workers being struck. Of the 74,950 nonfatal construction
incidents that resulted in days away from work, 49.3 percent
were caused by contact with objects.
One quarter of struck-by vehicle deaths occur in
construction — more than in any other industry. Utility
contractors are often exposed to a struck-by danger
when lifting and moving pipe, cable and other materials
during excavation.
28 Utility Contractor | December 2011
One quarter of struck-by vehicle deaths occur in construction —
more than in any other industry. According to OSHA, approximately
75 percent of all struck-by fatalities involve heavy
equipment, such as trucks, loaders, excavators, backhoes and
front-end loaders. Other struck-by incidents are caused by falling
and flying objects or the movement of suspended loads. A
falling or rolling hazard is created by spoil piles, tools, pumps
and pipe or cable found near the edge of trenching and excavation
work. Workers are also exposed to a struck-by danger
when lifting and moving pipe, cable and other materials into
the excavation.
Preventing Struck-By Incidents
Struck-by incidents can be prevented with little expense.
The key to success is making employees aware of the situations
where an incident could occur. Start with work zone safety
training. Workers often take for granted that drivers and operators
are going to see and avoid them. Yet more construction
workers are struck by construction vehicles and machinery
than by motorists. So in any work construction area, remind
crews to be aware of their surroundings and to not place themselves
in dangerous positions. Instruct them to make themselves
known and visible to drivers and equipment operators.
They should wear high-visibility clothing and never turn their
backs on vehicles or equipment in motion.
When work must be performed in or near traffic lanes, contractors
should be sure to set up a safe work zone in accordance
with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Install traffic signs and barricades. Use flaggers to control the
flow of traffic where necessary. If flaggers are assigned, they
should have flagger training and wear the appropriate high
visibility clothing. In work zones where trucks and equipment
are moving around, crew members should be required
to wear high-visibility clothing. They should be instructed not
to approach vehicles or equipment from a blind spot, and they
should always get the operator’s attention and make eye contact
before getting close to the vehicle or equipment.
Equipment manufacturers have conducted research to identify
the blind spots around their vehicles and heavy machinery.
Check with the manufacturers of your vehicles and equipment
to see what information is available and share that information
with employees. If you cannot find the information, perform
simple demonstrations using your own equipment. Of course,