OSHA Launches Outreach Campaign on 'Struck-By' Vehicle Accidents
"Struck-by" injuries and fatalities are caused by conventional traffic/passenger vehicles, forklifts, and other moving powered industrial equipment such as cranes and yard trucks.
OSHA has launched a regional outreach initiative in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska to educate workers and their employers about preventing "struck-by" vehicle accidents in the workplace. "Struck-by" injuries and fatalities are caused by conventional traffic/passenger vehicles, forklifts, and other moving powered industrial equipment such as cranes and yard trucks.
During fiscal years 2008 through 2011, 14 percent of all workplace fatalities investigated by OSHA's Kansas City regional offices involved "struck-by" incidents. Causes typically involve reverse vehicle movement into a pedestrian outside the driver's field of vision or vehicles falling off ramps, inclines, or unstable ground.
"In the past four years, we have investigated 25 accidents in which workers have died as a result of a 'struck-by' vehicle accident," said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City. "One accident is too many. Our goal with this outreach campaign is to spread awareness and safety tips to avoid ‘struck-by’ accidents."
OSHA has developed educational materials called "Evaluate Your Entire Surroundings," or E.Y.E.S., that are available in both English and Spanish. The materials include a one-page fact sheet with accident data and prevention strategies; "OSHA Region 7 Informational Guide for Preventing Struck by Accidents"; a brochure that covers risk assessment steps, common operator errors, and safety tips; and a laminated poster.
Accident prevention strategies include staying alert, obeying all traffic rules and signs, minimizing distractions, inspecting and maintaining vehicles, using safety belts, and turning on headlights.