STRUCK BY OBJECT ON LONG ISLAND

Construction workers are most often struck by:

• Trucks, cranes, and other heavy equipment

• Tools, particles, and other falling or flying objects

• Concrete, masonry, and other heavy objects that may collapse

There are four primary ways in which an object can strike a worker and cause injury. They are:

• Flying: for example, a nail gun accidentally discharging

• Falling: for example, tools falling off scaffolding or a suspended load being dropped

• Swinging: for example, being struck by a swinging crane load

• Rolling: for example, being hit by a vehicle in motion

Employers have a duty to protect their workers from becoming injured on the job. This responsibility includes providing a safe work environment that complies with OSHA standards, as well as providing appropriate safety training for each employee. In addition to following all safety guidelines provided by their employer, workers should take the following measures to protect themselves:

• Wear a seat belt when operating vehicles.

• Inspect vehicles before each shift.

• Always use parking brakes.

• Use appropriate guardrails on scaffolds to prevent items falling from overhead work areas.

• Never work beneath a suspended load.

• Use personal protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses, goggles, face shields, and hearing protection.

• Use a full-body harness to protect you from falls.

• Secure loads properly to prevent them from slipping.

• When working at height, tie off tools to prevent them from falling and striking people below.