There are many ways struck-by accidents can occur, but the most common involve:
Vehicles, cranes, falling or flying objects, and construction of concrete and masonry walls.
Vehicles and Cranes
Follow these safety precautions to avoid being struck by vehicles or cranes at your worksite.
- When working near vehicles, make sure you’re visible to vehicle operators at all times. Eye contact is important.
- Never exceed the load capacity for a vehicle. Do not ride on a vehicle unless equipped with a safe place to sit.
- If you are operating a vehicle, wear a safety belt if the vehicle is equipped with one.
- Workers at the worksite need to be trained on safety.
- Cranes need to be set up on solid, level ground, so they do not tip or fall.
- Loads need to be secured properly, so they do not drop.
- Determine how much a crane can safely lift before using it. Never exceed the crane’s load capacity.
- The crane operator needs to stay in communication with other workers.
- The appropriate crane maintenance and inspections need to be performed.
Falling and Flying Objects
- Falling objects often present a hazard when working near cranes, scaffolds, materials handling operations, and stacked materials.
Follow these safety precautions to avoid injury.
- Avoid working underneath loads being moved.
- Barricade hazard areas and post warning signs.
- Inspect cranes and hoists to see that all components, are in good condition.
- Do not exceed the lifting capacity of cranes and hoists.
- Wear a hard hat.
- Secure tools and materials to prevent them from falling on people below.
- Use toeboards, screens, or guardrails on scaffolds to prevent falling objects or,
- Use debris nets, catch platforms, or canopies to catch or deflect falling objects.
- Stack materials to prevent sliding, falling, or collapse. Bags of materials should be stacked neatly by stepping back the layers and cross-keying the bags at least every ten bags high.
- Do not store materials on scaffolds or runways.
- Use debris chutes and barricades to keep personnel from being struck by waste materials.
Constructing Concrete and Masonry Walls
Follow these precautions to prevent struck-by injuries involving concrete and masonry walls.
- Do not place construction loads on a concrete structure until a qualified person indicates that it can support the load.
- Adequately shore or brace structures until permanent supporting elements are in place or concrete has been tested to assure sufficient strength.
- Take measures to prevent unrolled wire mesh from recoiling, such as securing each end or turning the rollover.
- Do not load lifting devices beyond their capacity.
- Use automatic holding devices to support forms if a lifting mechanism fails.
- When building masonry walls, use limited access zones (LAZs) to restrict access to areas surrounding the wall construction area.
- Always wear protective head and face equipment.
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