OSHA Launches Outreach Campaign To Protect Employees From Workplace 'Struck By' Vehicle Accidents

Kansas City, MO (WorkersCompensation.com) - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched a regional outreach initiative in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska to educate workers and their employers about preventing "struck by" vehicle accidents in the workplace. "Struck by" injuries and fatalities are caused by conventional traffic/passenger vehicles, forklifts and other moving powered industrial equipment such as cranes and yard trucks.

During fiscal years 2008 through 2011, 14 percent of all workplace fatalities investigated by OSHA's Kansas City regional offices involved "struck by" incidents. Causes typically involve reverse vehicle movement into a pedestrian outside the driver's field of vision, or vehicles falling off ramps, inclines or unstable ground.

"In the past four years, we have investigated 25 accidents in which workers have died as a result of a 'struck by' vehicle accident," said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City. "One accident is too many. Our goal with this outreach campaign is to spread awareness and safety tips to avoid struck by accidents."

OSHA has developed educational materials called "Evaluate Your Entire Surroundings," or E.Y.E.S., that are available in both English and Spanish. The materials include a one-page fact sheet with accident data and prevention strategies; "OSHA Region 7 Informational Guide for Preventing Struck by Accidents"; a brochure that covers risk assessment steps, common operator errors and safety tips; and a laminated poster.

Accident prevention strategies include staying alert, obeying all traffic rules and signs, minimizing distractions, inspecting and maintaining vehicles, using safety belts and turning on headlights.

Materials and additional information regarding this initiative can be obtained by contacting OSHA's offices in St. Louis at 314-425-4249; Wichita, Kan., at 316-269-6644; Kansas City, Mo., at 816-483-9531; Omaha, Neb., at 402-553-0171; or Des Moines, Iowa, at 515-284-4794.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

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