STRUCK-BY HAZARDS

Struck-by injuries are produced by forcible contact or impact between the injured person and an object
or piece of equipment. Struck-by accidents are related to material handling and housekeeping and occur when
work tools, materials, vehicle/machinery, flying debris, or any other type of object hits someone.

Struck-by hazards are categorized as follows:

Struck by flying object

Struck by falling object

Struck by swinging object

Stuck by rolling object

A. Struck-by flying object

Major Hazards:

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, 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: The nail is propelled from the gun
by force, it is discharged. This force can be either pneumatic or powder-actuated. Powder-actuated tools are
particularly hazardous due to the force behind the fastener. These fasteners are designed to go through wood,
concrete and steel and they can certainly go through worker. Using compressed air can also cause flying object
hazards. Compressed air is commonly used to power tools and clean surfaces.

Whenever working with saws, belt sanders, pressurized air or gas, or any other type of equipment that
could potentially cause objects to accidentally fly through the area, it is important to minimize the risk. While it
may be difficult to eliminate the possibility of an object being pushed out of these machines, it is possible to
direct the object properly. Positioning these types of machines so that in the event of a malfunction, the object
would fly into a wall or protective material will eliminate the possibility of having flying objects posing hazards
to those in the area. Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) like eye and face protection. In
addition, we can prevent any types of injuries by inspecting equipment connections, checking pressure gauges,
using proper lubrication, and replacing defective chain and wire rope.

B. Struck-by falling object

Major Hazards:

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 or structures,
resulting from being struck by a falling object or equipment.

When trying to keep employees safe from being struck by falling objects, it is important to work on
preventing items from dropping, and providing employees on the ground with improved safety equipment.
When people are working up in the air, they should always take steps to secure all the tools, parts and
equipment they are using. If something is dropped, it should be tethered to the support structure to keep it from
dropping all the way to the ground.

When this isnt possible, the area below should be cleared and partitioned off to ensure nobody enters.
Keeping people well away from anywhere that items could potential drop will help to keep them safe. In
addition to avoiding any falling objects, however, all employees should be provided with proper safety
equipment, including hard hats, to minimize the severity of injuries due to falling objects.

C. Struck-by swinging object

Major Hazards:

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. This movement can catch workers by surprise and they could be
hit by the swinging load. Windy conditions are especially hazardous because the load will swing more.
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 greater injuries. In addition to swinging, loads can slip from their riggings
and strike workers. Loads must be rigged properly to prevent slippage. When the source of injury has been
referred to objects which are not free standing, they are attached at some point or are being held by the worker.
This includes instances where a hinge-like motion retracts creating swinging motion in which the worker is
struck-by a slamming or swinging motion.
 When equipment or parts are being moved through the area it is an especially dangerous time. The first,
and most important, step to take is to properly secure all equipment. It is never acceptable to just place
equipment down and lift it up. Even though it may seem secure while on the ground, the motion of the lift and
the wind can easily cause things to become unstable. By using the right straps or other items to secure each
item, there is much less risk of items slipping off the equipment and falling.

In addition, it is important to keep the area around the items being lifted clear. People should not be
working in the area, as when the equipment is hoisted off the ground, it could swing into people. This can cause
them to become crushed, or injured in other ways. Marking off the area with safety tape or other partitions is
essential for preventing swinging or slipping accidents. Display signage on cranes that identifies swing hazard
areas.

D. Struck-by rolling object

Major Hazards:

Struck-by rolling object is when an object which is rolling, moving, or sliding on the same level at
which the worker is located. 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.

Ground Level Accident Protection

Of all of the types of struck-by accident categories, this is the most common. Most construction workers
spend the bulk of their time working at ground level, and that is also where many hazards exist, so this makes
sense. With this in mind, employers and employees alike need to work hard to help identify potential risks, and
take steps to minimize them.

Using safety supplies like Do Not Cross tape or floor signs that alert people to a specific hazard is a
great place to start. These types of visual signals can help people to be more alert, and watch out for dangers
that they might not have known existed in the area.

One great example of where these safety supplies can be used is around a crane. Cranes are one of the
most dangerous pieces of equipment because they have so many moving areas, and the crane operator has a
very limited line of sight. By partitioning off the swing radius of the crane, it is possible to keep everyone out of
harms way while it is in use. Of course, this type of safety equipment can be used around any ground level
hazard to help improve the safety of construction sites.

Struck By Training

No matter what steps are taken to improve the safety of a workplace, however, it is not going to be
effective if the employees dont know how to follow the procedures. Providing training on how to use safety
supplies, and what types of personal protection equipment are needed in different situations is absolutely
essential. In many cases, training can be quick and easy, providing each employee with the proper guidance they
will need to keep themselves, and those around them, safe from struck-by accidents.

Always Be Aware

It is the responsibility of all construction companies, and all employees, to always be aware of these
types of hazards. Struck-by accidents are extremely serious, and are all too often fatal. By taking extra
precautions, and being aware of the risks associated with construction work, it is possible to limit the potential
for accidents and injuries on any construction worksite.

There are many different ways struck-by accidents can occur, but the most common involve:

Vehicles and cranes

Falling or objects

Constructing 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 are visible to vehicle operators at all times. Eye contact is good.
 Never exceed the load capacity for a vehicle.

Do not ride on a vehicle unless it is 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 - meaning all people 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 cranes 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, such as wire rope, lifting hooks, chains, etc., are in good
condition.

Do not exceed lifting capacity of cranes and hoists.

Wear a hardhat.

Secure tools and materials to prevent them from falling on people below.

Use toeboards, screens, or guardrails on scaffolds to prevent falling objects, or,

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 as appropriate to keep personnel from being struck by discarded rubbish and
waste materials.

The difficulty with protecting yourself from flying objects is that you may not be participating in the work that
causes the object to fly. For that reason, you need to make sure your coworkers follow the safety rules outlined
by OSHA and your employer, and you need to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for your
worksite.

Be particularly careful when working with or near power tools.

Constructing Concrete and Masonry Walls

To prevent struck-by injuries involving concrete and masonry walls, follow these safety precautions.

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 roll
over.

Do not load lifting devices beyond their capacity.

Use automatic holding devices to support forms in case 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.

CAUGHT-IN / BETWEEN

According to OSHA, caught-in or -between hazards are defined as: Injuries resulting from a person being
squeezed, caught, crushed, pinched, or compressed between two or more objects, or between parts of an object.
This includes individuals who get caught or crushed in operating equipment, between other mashing objects,
between a moving and stationary object, or between two or more moving objects.

CAUGHT-IN / BETWEEN HAZARDS

Events (examples) that should be classified as caught-in include:

Cave-ins (trenching)

Being pulled into or caught in machinery and equipment (this includes strangulation as the result of clothing
caught in running machinery and equipment)

Being compressed or crushed between rolling, sliding, or shifting objects such as semi-trailers and a dock
wall, or between a truck frame and a hydraulic bed that is lowering

Some of the working conditions that contribute to caught in- or between hazards include: Machinery that has
unguarded moving parts or that is not lockedout during maintenance; unprotected excavations and trenches;
heavy equipment that tips over, collapsing walls during demolition; and working between moving materials and
immovable structures, vehicles, or equipment.

A. Machinery that has unguarded moving parts

Major Hazards:

Almost all sites use machinery that has moving or rotating parts or that requires maintenance or repair at
some point during construction. If machinery is not properly guarded or de-energized during maintenance or
repair, injuries from caught-in or between hazards may result, ranging from amputations and fractures to death.
When machines or power tools are not properly guarded, workers can get their clothing or parts of their body
caught in the machines. If machines are not de-energized (locked-out) when they are being repaired, they may
cycle or otherwise start up and catch a workers body part or clothing and cause injury or death. Workers can be
trapped and crushed under heavy equipment that tips, especially if they are thrown from the equipment.

B. Buried in or by

Major Hazards:

The major hazard related to buried in or by is cave-ins of unprotected trenches and excavations. Cave-
ins crush or suffocate workers. In addition, trenches may contain hazardous atmospheres; workers can drown in
water, sewage, or chemicals in the trenches; and if working around underground utilities, workers may also face
burns, electrocution or explosions from steam, hot water, gas, or electricity. Workers who are working
underneath large scaffolds may also be buried if the scaffolds collapse. Workers may be buried and crushed by
walls that collapse during demolition.

Protective Systems
There are different types of protective systems. Sloping involves cutting back the trench wall at an angle
inclined away from the excavation. Shoring requires installing aluminum hydraulic or other types of supports to
prevent soil movement and caveins. Shielding protects workers by using trench boxes or other types of supports
to prevent soil cave-ins. Designing a protective system can be complex because you must consider many
factors: soil classification, depth of cut, water content of soil, changes due to weather or climate, surcharge
loads (eg., spoil, other materials to be used in the trench) and other operations in the vicinity.

Competent Person

OSHA standards require that trenches be inspected daily and as conditions change by a competent
person prior to worker entry to ensure elimination of excavation hazards. A competent person is an individual
who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards or working conditions that are hazardous,
unsanitary, or dangerous to employees and who is authorized to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or
control these hazards and conditions.

Access and Egress

Major Hazards:

You can be pinned between equipment and a solid object, such as a wall or another piece of equipment;
between materials being stacked or stored and a solid object, such as a wall or another piece of equipment or
between shoring and construction materials in a trench. These types of hazards can result in multiple broken
bones, asphyxiation, or death.

Caught-in or between incidents occur for some of the following reasons:

Working on or around moving equipment.

Working on equipment with stored energy. (example: hydraulic cylinder)

Inadequate guarding on equipment or guards have been removed.

Incorrect hitching practices.

Not being visible to the equipment operator.

Being unaware of approaching danger in the work environment

Uneven lighting with bright spots and shadows causing livestock to balk.

Approaching an animal in its blind spot.

There are many different ways caught-in and caught-between accidents can occur, but the most common
involve:

Trenching

Unguarded machinery

Equipment.
Trenching

According to OSHA, the fatality rate for excavation work is 112% higher than the rate for general
construction. One of the biggest hazards is being caught in a trench cave-in, which could crush or asphyxiate
you.

To avoid cave-ins, follow these safety precautions.

Use a protective system, such as sloping or shoring, to prevent the walls of the trench from caving in.

Benching and sloping prevents the sides of a trench from collapsing onto workers inside the trench.

Anytime an excavation is greater than 5 feet in depth, protective systems must be in place.

Make sure the trench is inspected at the appropriate times and by the competent person.

Keep spoils at least two feet from the edge of the trench or haul them to another location.

Use a retaining device like a trench box that extends higher than the wall of the trench.

For trenches that are more than four feet deep, make sure there is a safe exit within 25 feet of workers in the
trench.

Unguarded Machinery

Unguarded machinery presents a big caught-in hazard. Particularly make sure the appropriate guarding is in
place for power tools, conveyors, and other machinery with moving parts.

The guards for power tools must protect the operator and other workers from:

The point of operation

In-running nip points

Rotating parts

Flying chips and sparks.

Clean or maintain a conveyor while it is operating

Reach into a nip point to remove debris or to free jammed material

Wear loose clothing that gets caught in the conveyor.

When working around unguarded machinery, keep these things in mind.

Loose clothing and jewelry can get caught in moving parts, pulling you into the machine.

Long hair that is worn loose can get caught in unguarded moving parts.

Always use equipment with rotating or moving parts that are properly guarded.

Always use tools or equipment that are properly guarded.

Equipment

Powered industrial trucks (forklifts), cranes, and other heavy equipment can pose caught-between hazards at the
workplace. Here are some examples.

Heavy equipment can overturn, and if the operator isnt wearing a seatbelt or the vehicle isnt equipped with
ROPS, he or she can be caught between the truck and the ground.

Operators can run the equipment into pedestrians, pinning them between the vehicle and the wall or stacked
materials.

If loads are not properly loaded or secured to equipment, the loads can fall off the truck onto workers, pinning
them between the fallen load and the ground or other materials.
 Workers unsafely riding on equipment can fall off and get run over.

To prevent these types of accidents:

Wear a seatbelt when operating equipment if it is equipped with one.

Operate equipment that has ROPS, as appropriate.

Do not ride equipment that is not safely equipped for passengers.

Make sure all loads are properly secured and within the rated capacity of the heavy equipment.

When operating equipment, be aware of pedestrians in the area.

Always work at a safe distance from equipment.

Never place yourself between a piece of heavy equipment and an immovable object

Each year workers die from caught-in accidents. During the year 2007:

Total deaths from caught-in cases: 294

Deaths in construction: 192

Approximately 16% of deaths in construction are from caught-in accidents

Approximately 5% of all occupational deaths are from caught-in accidents