Struck By/Struck Against

According to OSHA, “Struck-by” is defined as: injuries produced by forcible contact or impact between the injured person and an object or piece of equipment. Struck-by hazards are one of four most deadly hazards in the construction industry, accounting for around 10% of all industry fatalities. The most common sources of nonfatal struck-by injuries involved solid building materials, powered and nonpowered hand tools, and scrap/waste/debris.

Struck-by hazards are categorized as follows:

• Struck-by flying object
• Struck-by falling object                                                             
• Struck-by swinging object
• Struck-by rolling object

Ways to prevent struck-by/struck against injuries:

Both employers and employees must do their part to prevent struck-by/struck against injuries. Some helpful actions include:

• Inspect tools before use; do not leave tools or equipment loose on elevated surfaces.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Use pedestrian walkways and exercise caution when working near heavy equipment.
• Never work under a load, especially during lifting.
• Secure all loads that are in motion (trucks, carts, dolly’s).
• Ensure objects are adequately placed on shelves to prevent falling.
• Make sure wheels of carts or dollies are locked/blocked to prevent unanticipated motion.

If you notice any situation that could potentially lead to a struck-by/struck against injury, stop what you are doing. You can either correct the issue yourself if you feel safe, or let your supervisor know to correct the issue. Documenting and sharing with co-workers also helps make sure similar instances do not occur again.

For more information or questions about struck-by/struck against injuries, please speak with your supervisor or contact a member of the Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance team.