Construction workers can be exposed to moving vehicles, heavy equipment, falling materials, flying debris, swinging loads, and other objects that can cause serious or fatal injuries. OSHA includes struck-by hazards among its Construction Focus Four, along with falls, electrocution, and caught-in or -between hazards.
Recognizing where struck-by hazards can occur and controlling the hazard before work begins can help prevent workers from being hit by vehicles, equipment, tools, materials, or other objects.
What is a Struck-by Hazard?
OSHA describes a struck-by hazard as one involving forcible contact or impact between a person and an object or piece of equipment. Struck-by incidents can involve objects that are flying, falling, swinging, or rolling.
The difference between a struck-by hazard and a caught-in or -between hazard can sometimes be confusing. A struck-by injury occurs when the impact from an object causes the injury. A caught-in or -between injury involves a worker being squeezed, caught, crushed, pinched, or compressed between objects.
Struck-by hazards can develop during many routine construction activities, including operating vehicles and heavy equipment, lifting materials, performing overhead work, using hand and power tools, demolishing structures, and storing materials.
Flying Objects and Debris
Construction work creates many opportunities for flying objects, airborne debris, and particles. Drilling, grinding, cutting, chipping, demolition, compressed air, and the use of certain hand and power tools can send material toward workers with little warning.
Workers using sledgehammers, jackhammers, grinders, saws, and similar equipment must be aware that debris can fly toward the face and eyes or strike someone nearby.
Use guards and other protective devices required for the equipment, and make sure workers wear appropriate eye and face protection for the hazard. Keep other workers out of areas where flying material could strike them.
Inspect tools before use and do not operate equipment with missing or damaged guards. OSHA specifically recommends inspecting tools and using safety glasses, goggles, face shields, or other appropriate protection where tools or machines may produce flying particles.
OSHA Construction Standard 1926.303(c)(9) All employees using abrasive wheels shall be protected by eye protection equipment.
Swinging Loads and Equipment
Workers should always be aware of potential swinging objects. Cranes, derricks, excavators, backhoes, and other heavy equipment can expose workers to struck-by hazards from rotating equipment, attachments, and suspended loads.
Stay clear of suspended loads and never position yourself underneath a load being moved. Watch for hooks, lines, buckets, booms, and other attachments that may move or swing during operations.
Workers must also stay outside established swing-radius hazard areas unless their work requires entry and the proper precautions have been taken. Operators may have limited visibility around equipment, so workers should never assume that an operator has seen them.
OSHA Construction Standard 1926.1424(a)(2)(i) The employer must train each employee assigned to work on or near the equipment in how to recognize struck-by and pinch/crush hazard areas.
When an employee must enter a swing-radius hazard area that is out of the operator’s view, OSHA requires the operator to be informed before the employee enters. The operator cannot rotate the superstructure until informed through the established communication system that the employee is in a safe position.
Wind can also affect suspended loads. Follow equipment manufacturer requirements and site procedures concerning wind and other weather conditions, and stop lifting operations when conditions make the operation unsafe.
Falling Objects
Multi-level construction projects, scaffolds, roofs, cranes, elevated work platforms, and other overhead work can expose workers below to falling tools, materials, equipment, and debris.
Workers below overhead operations must be protected from objects that could fall and cause injury. Hard hats should be worn where workers are exposed to possible head injuries from falling or flying objects.
Tools and materials should be secured when there is a risk that they could fall to a lower level. Tool tethering may be appropriate depending on the task and equipment being used. Keep loose materials away from unprotected edges and control access to areas below overhead work.
Depending on the work and applicable OSHA requirements, protection may include toeboards, screens, guardrails, debris nets, catch platforms, canopies, or barricades that keep workers out of the hazard area. OSHA recommends securing tools and materials during overhead work and using appropriate protective systems to prevent objects from striking workers below.
OSHA Construction Standard 1926.502(j)(1) Toeboards, when used as falling object protection, shall be added along the edge of the overhead walking/working surface for a distance sufficient to protect employees below.
If materials are piled higher than the top of a toeboard, OSHA requires paneling or screening extending from the walking/working surface or toeboard to the top rail or midrail for a sufficient distance to protect employees below.
Vehicles and Mobile Equipment
Vehicles and heavy equipment create some of the most serious struck-by hazards on construction sites. Dump trucks, loaders, excavators, forklifts, cranes, delivery vehicles, and other equipment may move through the same areas where employees are working on foot.
Workers should stay out of equipment travel paths and avoid blind spots around vehicles and heavy equipment. Never assume an operator can see you. Make eye contact or use the established communication method before approaching operating equipment.
Jobsites should establish traffic controls appropriate for the work being performed. Separate workers from moving vehicles and equipment whenever possible through designated travel routes, barricades, work zones, spotters, or other controls appropriate for the site.
Workers exposed to vehicle traffic should wear required high-visibility garments and remain alert to changing traffic and equipment movement.
OSHA identifies vehicles as a major source of construction struck-by hazards and recommends establishing zones that separate workers and pedestrians from vehicles and heavy equipment.
Rolling and Moving Objects
A worker can also be struck by an object that rolls, slides, or moves unexpectedly. Pipes, reels, rebar, coils, barrels, tires, wheels, and other cylindrical or unstable materials can move if they are not properly stored or restrained.
Equipment and vehicles can also become rolling hazards when they move unexpectedly.
Never position yourself downhill or directly in the potential path of materials that could roll or slide. Use appropriate blocks, chocks, racks, restraints, or other methods to prevent movement.
Be especially careful while materials are being loaded, unloaded, moved, or released from restraints. Stored materials that appear stable can shift when straps, chains, blocking, or other restraints are removed.
Stacked Materials
Stacked materials can create struck-by hazards when they are unstable, improperly secured, or disturbed during material handling.
Pile and store materials in a secure manner that prevents sliding, falling, spreading, or collapsing. Consider the shape, weight, height, and stability of the materials as well as how they will be removed from the stack.
Use appropriate racks, blocking, banding, straps, chains, or other methods to secure materials when necessary. Workers should stay clear when unstable or heavy materials are being moved and should never stand where shifting or collapsing materials could strike them.
OSHA Construction Standard 1926.250(a)(1) All materials stored in tiers shall be stacked, racked, blocked, interlocked, or otherwise secured to prevent sliding, falling or collapse.
OSHA also specifically addresses cylindrical materials. Structural steel, poles, pipe, bar stock, and other cylindrical materials that are not racked must be stacked and blocked to prevent spreading or tilting.
Preventing Struck-By Injuries
Struck-by hazards can change throughout the workday as equipment moves, materials are delivered, overhead work begins, or conditions on the jobsite change. Workers should continually watch for objects, vehicles, equipment, and materials that could move, fall, swing, fly, roll, or otherwise enter the work area.
Keep these basic precautions in mind:
- Stay clear of suspended loads and equipment swing areas.
- Keep out of vehicle and heavy-equipment blind spots.
- Use established pedestrian routes and equipment exclusion zones.
- Wear appropriate hard hats, eye protection, face protection, and high-visibility clothing when required.
- Secure tools and materials used at elevated locations.
- Use guards when operating tools and equipment.
- Store and secure materials so they cannot slide, roll, fall, or collapse.
- Barricade or restrict access to areas where falling or flying objects could strike workers.
- Communicate with equipment operators before entering hazard areas.
- Stay alert when site conditions or work activities change.
Stay Out of the Line of Fire
Preventing struck-by injuries requires more than watching for obvious hazards. Before starting a task, consider where vehicles and equipment will travel, where loads or attachments could swing, where materials could fall or roll, and where debris could be thrown.
Whenever possible, eliminate the exposure by keeping workers out of the path of moving equipment, loads, tools, and materials. When workers must enter an area where struck-by hazards exist, use the appropriate controls, PPE, communication, and safe work practices for the task.
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