Jul 01, 2021

Safety Focus: Preventing Struck-By Injuries When Lifting or Handling Objects

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are more than 50,000 “struck by falling object” recordable injuries every year in the United States. That’s one injury every 10 minutes caused by a dropped object in the workplace. Anytime overhead work is performed there is a real risk of tools, material, or equipment falling from an elevated area. There is a danger present for anyone under or near the elevated work position when working at elevated heights.

Understanding Exposures for Being Struck By Objects Lifted or Handled

A struck-by object lifted or handled hazard refers to a hazard in which a worker could potentially be hit and injured by an object, tool or equipment. Struck-by hazards are mostly related to improper material and equipment handling such as a pedestal crane lifting pipe out of a hold or a crawler crane lifting steel plate onto a dry dock. In the industries covered by the U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (requiring USL&H coverage), it is almost unavoidable to be working in an area where struck-by objects handled or lifted hazards are present.

This type of exposure and controlling the exposures can require specific work planning. While some hazards are easily corrected, many do require additional evaluation and planning to eliminate.

Struck-by objects being lifted or handled hazards originate from many sources. The most common include:

Loads being lifted by a crane operations
Tools, equipment, and materials being left loose on a load
Poorly stacked materials that may fall, slip and slide

Considerations When Working With or Around Objects Being Lifted or Handled

Lifting equipment movements should always be considered prior to set up. Every effort should be made to avoid having to move the load over the work area. If this cannot be done, work should be temporarily halted, and the area cleared while the lift is taking place.

Riggers and others may have to work near a suspended load in order to guide it into position. The use of tag lines and push/pull poles can help keep you out of harm's way. The tag line or push/pull pole will put distance between yourself and the load in the event the load shifts or moves unexpectedly. Tag lines and push/pull poles can help keep a load under control but remember, your weight is no match against a load that has started to swing or spin and develop momentum. Let it settle down on its own.

Be sure if you are guiding a load with a tag line that your travel path is clear and safe before the load is suspended. You will be spending a lot of time watching the load, rather than where you are going. It would be a shame to take all of the precautions to avoid being caught by the load, only to be injured in a fall.

Exclusive for ALMA Members: Struck-By Objects Lifted or Handled Resource Site

As part of our monthly Safety Focus initiative, the ALMA member resource website has a page providing safety resources related to struck-by hazards. Resources include: