CDC Details Harm Caused When Construction Workers Are Struck by Falling Objects

Getting hit with a falling object at a construction site is no laughing matter. Even objects weighing only a pound or two can inflict severe harm on a victim if the item is dropped from a high point. In fact, “struck-by” injuries, which include situations where laborers are hit by falling objects, are classified by OSHA as one of the top causes of construction worker deaths, what they refer as the “Fatal Four.”

Multiple variables determine the severity of injuries resulting from falling objects. Among these, the height and weight of the object are critical. As both height and weight increase, so does the force of impact, which in turn amplifies the potential for significant damage. A two-pound hammer can inflict permanent injuries on someone when it’s dropped from 10 stories above. Sharp or irregularly shaped objects can cause lacerations or penetrative wounds even when falling from lower elevations. The location on the body where a person is struck is also crucial; head injuries, in particular, can lead to devastating outcomes, even when caused by lighter objects. 

While items plummeting from roofs, cranes and scaffolds immediately come to mind when falling object injuries are discussed, it’s important to recognize that even seemingly insignificant drops from lower levels, such as truck beds or dollies, can also result in serious harm. In fact, a survey from the Center for Construction Research and Training indicates that approximately 20 percent of struck-by injuries involve falling or flying objects that originated on the same level as the victim.

The most commonly cited factor when workers were asked about the causes of struck-by injuries is the failure to implement proper safety precautions. Effective prevention measures include pre-work hazard reviews and instructions regarding the proper handling and storage of tools and building materials. Employees should be well-informed about the risks associated with falling objects and equipped with strategies to mitigate these dangers, such as maintaining clean and organized workspaces and following safe lifting and carrying procedures. Personal protective equipment, such as helmets, might also mitigate the damage from a falling object. 

Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. represents construction workers throughout New York State who seek compensation for the injuries they’ve suffered from falling objects and other onsite hazards. Please call 845-640-3846 or contact me online for a free consultation. My office is in Highland.