Struck-by Flying Object
A Struck by flying object hazard exists when something has been thrown, hurled, or is being propelled through space.
You are at risk from falling objects when you are beneath cranes, scaffolds, etc., or where overhead work is being performed. There is a danger from flying objects when power tools, or activities like pushing, pulling, or prying, may cause objects to become airborne. Injuries can range from minor abrasions to concussions, blindness, or death.
Also, a hazard exists if an object is ejected under power by a tool or equipment. An example of this would be a nail gun, which propels a nail from the gun by force; it is discharged. This force can be either pneumatic or powder-actuated. Powder-actuated tools are particularly hazardous due to the force behind the fastener. These fasteners are designed to go through wood, concrete and steel, and they can certainly go through a worker. To learn more about nail gun safety, see OSHAcademy course 611 Nail Gun Safety.
Using compressed air can also cause flying object hazards. Compressed air is commonly used to power tools and clean surfaces. Injuries and deaths have occurred when pressurized tires have exploded ejecting object that strike workers and others.
- A worker was removing a frozen bolt from the track of a caterpillar front end loader and was struck-by a bolt that entered his forehead.
- A worker was freeing a pump component under pressure and was impaled by the pump component.
- A worker was killed when a blast of compressed air from a gas pipeline struck him. A compressor was started to fill the pipeline with compressed air in an effort to push out a "pig." when the pipeline suddenly cleared, an employee was still in the way and was killed. Before the compressor was started the area should have been cleared.
- Two employees were using a wire rope to winch a wooden tool shed onto a flat bed trailer. The wire rope broke, snapped back, and struck one of the employees in the top of the head, killing him. The employee was not wearing a hard hat.
Description of Accident
A carpenter apprentice was killed when he was struck in the head by a nail that was fired from a powder-actuated tool. The tool operator, while attempting to anchor a plywood form in preparation for pouring a concrete wall, fired the gun causing the nail to pass through the hollow wall. The nail traveled some 27 feet before striking the victim. The tool operator had never received training in the proper use of the tool, and none of the employees in the area was wearing personal protective equipment.
What would you recommend?
Recommendations
- Institute a program for frequent and regular inspections of the job site, materials, and equipment by a competent person(s) (1926.20(b)(2)).
- Require employees exposed to the potential hazards associated with flying nails to use appropriate personal protective equipment. (1926.100(a) and 1926.102(a)(1)).
- Train employees using powder actuated tools in the safe operation of the particular tool (1926.302(e)(2)).
- Train employees operating powder actuated tools to avoid firing into easily penetrated materials (1926.302(e)(8)).
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-5. Which of the following accidents may occur if a worker is struck by an object ejected from a tool under power?
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