N.C. Targets Rising Workplace Deaths in New Safety Push
Labor Commissioner Luke Farley directs OSH Division to target top workplace killer with new enforcement and education initiative.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Feb 19, 2026
North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley has announced a new statewide safety initiative aimed at reducing struck-by injuries and fatalities, which have surpassed falls as the leading cause of workplace deaths in the state over the last two years.
The announcement was made at the ABB facility in Mebane, a site recognized by the N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) for its safety performance. Farley directed the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division to establish the special emphasis program to address hazards in both general industry and construction through a combination of education, outreach, and targeted enforcement.
“In the last two years, struck-by incidents have overtaken falls from heights as the leading cause of workplace injuries and deaths in North Carolina,” Farley said. “We’re working proactively to ensure every worker in North Carolina goes home safe at the end of the day.”
Struck-by incidents typically involve workers being hit by falling tools, moving equipment, or flying materials. At the ABB site, officials showcased a recently renovated “Very Narrow Aisle” warehouse designed to minimize worker exposure to moving machinery through automated speed and positioning controls.
Julia Des Chenes, manufacturing unit manager at ABB, emphasized that the company’s safety culture allows any employee to stop work if conditions are unsafe.
“We design our processes around how people actually work, and we’re laser-focused on eliminating struck-by accidents,” Des Chenes said.
Phase One: Education and Outreach
The initiative’s first year will focus on foundational strategy and industry notification. The NCDOL plans to develop comprehensive inspection guidance while providing consultation and training services to help "job creators" identify and mitigate hazards before enforcement actions begin.
To oversee the rollout, Farley has established a Struck-By Task Force led by Scott Mabry, Deputy Commissioner for OSH. The task force includes leadership from compliance, statistics, and technical assistance bureaus to ensure a uniform approach across the state.
Targeting High-Risk Sectors
The new initiative will run concurrently with enhancements to existing safety programs in the construction and warehousing industries—sectors where struck-by hazards are historically most prevalent.
According to the NCDOL, the goal is to shift the needle on a "troubling trend" by working collaboratively with the private sector.
“Expanding our emphasis on struck-by prevention is a vital step toward safeguarding North Carolina’s workforce,” Farley said.
Employers seeking resources or training related to the new emphasis program can find more information at labor.nc.gov.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.