Struck-by Falling Objects or Equipment
A person is struck-by a falling object or equipment when crushed, pinned, or caught under an object or equipment that has fallen from above. This accident type does not include the collapse of material or structures.
Examples:
- A worker was tearing down a transmission structure using a digger-derrick when a pole broke and struck him on the head.
- A worker was struck by a load of wall panels that fell off his truck.
- Four workers rebuilding a bridge that had washed out by floods were injured when a crane boom cable broke, and the boom fell on them.
- A worker was engaged in cutting a boiler in sections with a cutting torch. The section being cut fell off allowing the remaining section to flip over onto its bottom and land on the worker.
- A worker was assisting a rigger who had attached a load to the block hook of a wheel mounted crane. The crane operator was positioned in the cab and waiting for the hand signal to make the lift. During this process, the jib of the crane fell from its stowed position on the boom and struck the worker.
Description of Accident
Ball and socket connectors are used to attach conductor stringing blocks to insulators on the arms of 90-foot metal towers of electrical transmission lines.
Normally stainless steel cotter keys secure the ball and socket connector in place. In this case, however, black electrical tape was wrapped around the socket to keep the ball in place rather than a cotter key. The tape apparently stretched, and the ball came loose, dropping the stringing block approximately 90 feet onto the head of an employee below, one of a four-man erection crew.
What would you recommend?
Recommendations
- Rigging and equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained in safe operating condition as required by general provisions of OSHA's construction (29 CFR 1926.959).
- Employees must be instructed to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions. They must also be made aware of regulations that apply to the work and the work area, which eliminate safety and health hazards as required in the safety training and education section of OSHA's construction safety standards (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)).
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-4. Which event describes a struck-by falling object or equipment accident?
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