Reducing Struck-By Injuries

Struck-by hazards include objects ejected from a power tool – such as a nail gun – as well as rolling, moving or sliding objects, such as a moving vehicle. OSHA offers the following recommendations to help workers prevent struck-by injuries:

Heavy equipment

• Avoid heavy equipment that is being operated, and remain alert to the location of all heavy equipment regardless of whether or not it is in use.
• Stand clear of loads that are being lifted or dumped.
• Exercise caution around unbalanced loads.
• Never work under suspended loads.
• Stay outside of the swing radius of cranes and backhoes.
• Wear hard hats in areas where objects may fall from above or if any head trauma may occur because of fixed objects.
• Inspect hard hats routinely for dents, cracks or deterioration.

Motor vehicles

• Check vehicles before each shift to confirm that parts and accessories can be operated safely.
• Bulldozers and scraper blades must be lowered or blocked when not in use.
• Do not exceed the rated load or lift capacity of any vehicle.
• Use a cab shield or canopy to protect a driver hauling materials in a vehicle loaded by cranes or power shovels, and wear safety belts.
• Vehicles should only be driven on grades or roadways that are safely constructed.
• Wear protective clothing, such as red or orange vests, to ensure workers are highly visible, and wear reflective materials when working at night.
• Avoid situations in which an escape route is not available.
• Traffic should only be directed by flaggers.
• Check all warning signs.