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When you look at the Fatal Four as defined by OSHA, they include falls, caught-between accidents, struck-by accidents and electrocutions. These are the four greatest dangers that workers in the construction industry face. They lead to the majority of fatal accidents every year.
That doesn’t mean that every incident is the same, however. Let’s take a look at struck-by accidents. How do they take place and what can workers do to avoid them?
Heavy machinery
In some cases, struck-by accidents include work vehicles and machines. For instance, a crane operator could rotate the crane without checking the job site around the vehicle and hit a worker who is on the ground. Similar accidents could happen with excavators or road construction machinery.
Falling objects
Many struck-by accidents include objects that are falling from above. For instance, a roofer has a pneumatic air nailer that isn’t secured. It slides off of the roof and strikes someone who is carrying packets of shingles on the ground.
Cars and rolling objects
Finally, some struck-by accidents include objects that are rolling. One example of this is simply if a worker gets struck by a pickup truck on the job site, of course. But it could also be something like a trailer breaking loose from a hitch, rolling down a hill and hitting a worker at the bottom of the hill.
No matter how these accidents take place, they can lead to severe and life-altering injuries. Those who have been injured must know about all of their legal options to seek workers’ comp benefits. These can help with medical bills and a portion of lost wages.