How to avoid a struck-by accident at work

Accidents at work happen all too often, leaving workers seriously injured or even killing them. One of the fatal four accidents, as labeled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is the struck-by accident. Struck-by accidents can happen in a myriad of ways, all of which we will examine in today’s post, so you know how to avoid them.

Victims of workplace accidents often suffer injuries caused by falling objects. It doesn’t matter if you work on a construction site, in a warehouse or in a traditional office setting; an object can fall from higher up and wind up hitting you on the head, causing serious injuries. If required, wear a hard hat when working in a dangerous location, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Workers can also be struck-by flying objects on the job. This includes the tip of a saw blade coming loose, accidental nail gun discharge, debris flying from an explosion and much more. When a nail gun is in use, make sure you are not in the direct line of discharge should something go wrong.

Rolling objects, such as vehicles or forklifts, cause tragic accidents on work sites all over California. You need to be aware of large equipment and vehicles when they are being operated. Never stand or walk behind them. If you are the spotter for operating the vehicle in reverse, make sure you stand to the side of the vehicle, so the operator can see you in the mirror.

When you go to work each day, you need to take safety into your own hands. This includes wearing your personal protective equipment (PPE), checking for hazards, reviewing safety policies and reporting any potential issues to your supervisor. Avoiding a struck-by accident can save your life one day.