An employee at an Illinois workplace died earlier this month after he was struck by part of a machine. The man was an employee whose work consisted of traveling to various locations to provide repair and maintenance services for generators that were manufactured by his employer. OSHA is investigating the fatal accident.

Many types of workplaces contain struck-by hazards. Each day as they work, employees run the risk of being hit by one or more items as they go about their day. Struck-by accidents can injure people by breaking bones, causing head injuries, and even killing them instantly. While workplace accidents that are caused by being struck by a machine or object can sometimes look similar to workplace accidents where an employee becomes caught in machinery, they are not the same. Struck-by injuries are a different type of workplace hazard than caught-in injuries. In a struck-by workplace accident, the victim’s injury is caused solely by the impact of the object or machine that hit them. In a caught-in accident, the injury occurs when the victim is crushed between objects, or between an object and a surface. Struck-by accidents account for approximately ten percent of American workplace fatalities.

There are several ways that struck-by accidents can happen. For example, the object that strikes the accident victim could fly through the air before hitting them. For instance, sometimes, parts of tools or machines break off during use and fly through the air. Alternatively, it could fall on them from above, potentially pinning them to the floor or crushing them completely. Swinging objects can strike employees, especially when equipment like mechanical lifts or cranes are in use in the workplace. Workers can also be hit by objects that roll, like vehicles.

While each workplace that contains a struck-by hazard is unique, there are some safe work practices that employees can follow to reduce the chance that an object or a machine will strike them while they are on the job. For example, workers must use caution when working with compressed air tools, using them only after they have received training, and always operating them with guards in place. The same rule applies to hand tools. Additionally, some struck-by accidents can be prevented by regular inspection of air and hand tools – look at your tools before you work. If parts of the tool are loose or broken or do not look right, do not use them. If you are working at a height, secure all tools and materials in your work area so that they do not fall. When using equipment that swings, block off the work area to provide a safe space for the operation of the machinery. Use personal protective equipment like hard hats, eye and hearing protection with any tools or equipment that require it.

Workplace accidents can bring unexpected and sudden injury or loss. If your family lost a loved one or if you were injured in a struck-by accident at work, call the Mississippi Workplace Accident Attorney at Barrett Law PLLC today, at 1 (601) 790-1505.