Struck-By Hazards on Irish Construction Sites: Plant, Vehicles, and Falling Objects

Being struck by plant, vehicles, or falling objects is one of the leading causes of fatal injury on Irish construction sites.

The Scale of the Problem

Being struck by moving plant, vehicles, or falling objects is consistently among the leading causes of fatal and serious injury on Irish construction sites. Workers are killed and seriously injured every year by reversing dumpers, swinging crane loads, falling tools and materials, and vehicles that have entered pedestrian areas. Many of these incidents are foreseeable and preventable, yet they continue to occur because the basic controls are not consistently applied.

The struck-by hazard is particularly challenging because it involves the interaction between multiple activities happening simultaneously on the same site. A worker on foot who is struck by a reversing vehicle may have been in a clearly marked pedestrian area. The vehicle operator may not have been able to see the worker. The banksman who should have been directing the vehicle may have been attending to something else. Preventing struck-by incidents requires a systematic approach that addresses all the contributing factors.

Plant and Vehicle Interactions

The interaction between plant, vehicles, and workers on foot is the most common cause of struck-by fatalities on Irish construction sites. Excavators, dumpers, telehandlers, articulated trucks, and other large vehicles have significant blind spots and can strike workers who are not visible to the operator. Reversing movements are particularly hazardous because the operator's visibility to the rear is often limited.

The fundamental control for plant and vehicle interactions is the segregation of plant and pedestrian routes. Where plant and vehicles are operating, workers on foot should not be present unless there is a specific operational need. Separate routes for plant and pedestrians should be established and clearly marked. Physical barriers should be used where possible to prevent workers on foot from entering plant operating areas.

Where segregation is not fully achievable, banksmen must be provided to direct plant and vehicle movements in areas where workers on foot are present. Banksmen must be trained and competent, must be clearly identifiable (typically by wearing a distinctive high-visibility vest), and must have a clear line of communication with the plant operator. The banksman system only works if it is consistently applied and if plant operators follow the banksman's directions.

Site speed limits must be established and enforced. Lower speeds give plant operators more time to react to unexpected hazards and reduce the severity of any impact. Speed limits of 10 km/h or less are appropriate in areas where workers on foot are present.

Falling Objects

Falling objects are a significant cause of injury on Irish construction sites. Tools, materials, and debris that fall from height can cause fatal head injuries. The risk is greatest on multi-storey construction sites where work is being carried out at several levels simultaneously.

The primary control for falling objects is to prevent them from falling in the first place. This requires the use of toeboards on all scaffolds and working platforms to prevent tools and materials from being accidentally kicked off the edge. Materials should not be stored on scaffolds in quantities greater than those needed for the immediate work. Tools should be secured with lanyards where there is a risk of them being dropped.

Where falling objects cannot be prevented, the area below the work must be protected. This can be achieved by the use of fans or canopies that catch falling materials, by the erection of debris netting, or by the establishment of exclusion zones below the work area. Hard hat areas must be clearly marked and enforced.

Crane and Lifting Operations

Crane and lifting operations present a specific struck-by risk. A load that falls from a crane or telehandler can kill workers below. The load must not be lifted over areas where workers are present. Exclusion zones must be established around lifting operations and maintained throughout the lift.

The route of the load must be planned before the lift begins to ensure that the load does not pass over areas where workers are present. Where this cannot be avoided, the area below the load must be cleared and the exclusion zone enforced before the lift takes place.

The Legal Framework

The duty to manage struck-by hazards on Irish construction sites derives from the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, which requires employers to manage work activities so as to prevent injury. The Construction Regulations 2013 require the PSCS to ensure that traffic routes on the construction site are suitable for the plant and vehicles using them and that pedestrians can use them safely. The General Application Regulations 2007 require employers to ensure that the movement of vehicles and pedestrians in the workplace is organised in a way that is safe for both.

Conclusion

Struck-by incidents on Irish construction sites are preventable. The controls are well established: segregation of plant and pedestrian routes, banksmen for vehicle movements in pedestrian areas, speed limits, toeboards and exclusion zones for falling objects, and careful planning of lifting operations. The challenge is consistent application. Sites that apply these controls systematically and enforce them rigorously will significantly reduce the incidence of struck-by injuries.