Preventing Struck-By Incidents and Injuries

Date: 2025-12-01

Duration: [DURATION] minutes

Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME]

Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

To understand the risks associated with struck-by incidents and implement effective control measures to protect workers.

Introduction

Struck-by incidents are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in many workplaces. This toolbox talk will cover key safety guidelines to prevent these incidents through hazard identification, risk assessment, and control measures.

Hazard Identification

Identifying potential struck-by hazards is the first step in preventing incidents. We need to be aware of the various situations and conditions that can lead to workers being struck by vehicles, equipment, or falling objects.

• Mobile Equipment Operation: Workers on foot struck by moving vehicles or equipment due to blind spots, lack of awareness, or inadequate traffic control.
• Falling Objects: Workers struck by falling materials, tools, or debris from overhead work or unsecured loads.
• Unsecured Loads: Materials falling from trucks or other vehicles during transport, striking nearby workers.

Control Measures

• Internal Traffic Control Plans: Develop and implement a comprehensive internal traffic control plan to coordinate vehicle and equipment movement within the work zone. [3]
• High-Visibility Clothing: Ensure all workers on foot wear high-visibility clothing to increase their visibility to equipment operators. [1]
• Equipment Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain all equipment, including audible alarms and sensing devices, to ensure they are functioning properly. [2]
• Pre-Work Safety Meetings: Conduct pre-work safety meetings to discuss potential hazards and review safe work procedures before starting any task. [1]
• Install Strobe Lights: Install strobe lights on all company-owned work trucks to enhance visibility. [2]
• Audible Back-up Alarms: Ensure that all trucks are equipped with audible back-up alarms and consider installing rear sensing units. [2]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

• High-Visibility Vest: Wear a high-visibility vest to ensure you are seen by equipment operators and other workers. Ensure the vest is clean and in good condition.
• Hard Hat: Always wear a hard hat in areas where there is a risk of falling objects. Inspect the hard hat before each use for any signs of damage.

Group Discussion

Discuss the following questions:

1. What are some near-miss incidents you have witnessed related to struck-by hazards?
2. What improvements can we make to our internal traffic control plan?
3. How can we better communicate potential hazards to all workers on site?

Emergency Procedures

1. Immediately stop work and move to a safe area.
2. Provide first aid and call for medical assistance.
3. Report the incident to the supervisor and safety department.

Summary

Recap of main points:

• Always be aware of your surroundings and potential struck-by hazards.
• Wear required PPE, including high-visibility clothing and head protection.
• Follow established traffic control plans and safe work procedures.
• Report any unsafe conditions or near-miss incidents immediately.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.

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