According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are roughly 150,000 injuries each year on construction sites. Many of these injuries can be avoided through more effective planning, communication and training.

Struck-by incidents account for nearly 20% of all construction fatalities. These incidents include workers being backed over or run over by equipment or vehicles, pinned between equipment or other objects, struck by swinging equipment parts or falling loads, and crushed beneath overturned equipment and vehicles. Yet, the measures taken most often by contractors to protect workers from these struck-by hazards are personal protective equipment, back-up alarms and use of spotters. These are passive measures and by themselves are not do not entirely eliminate incidents on their own—contractors must implement more proactive controls to complement these existing measures and prevent injuries and fatalities.

Reprinted courtesy of Rob Dahl, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved.

Mr. Dahl may be contacted at rdahl@holmesmurphy.com