Preventing Struck-By Incidents on Irish Construction Sites
Struck-by incidents are a leading cause of fatal injuries on Irish construction sites.
# Preventing Struck-By Incidents on Irish Construction Sites --- Struck-by incidents, in which a worker is hit by a moving vehicle, plant, or falling object, are consistently among the leading causes of fatal and serious injuries on Irish construction sites. The HSA's annual fatality statistics show that being struck by a moving vehicle or plant accounts for a significant proportion of construction deaths each year, and many more workers suffer serious injuries that are not fatal. These incidents are largely preventable. The risks are well understood, the control measures are well established, and the legislation is clear. Yet struck-by incidents continue to occur because the controls are not implemented, not maintained, or not enforced. This article sets out the key risks and the practical steps that contractors must take to prevent them. --- ## Types of Struck-By Incident Struck-by incidents on construction sites fall into two broad categories. **Struck by moving plant or vehicles.** This includes workers being hit by excavators, dumpers, telehandlers, lorries, and other mobile plant or vehicles operating on or near the site. These incidents often occur when a worker enters the operating radius of plant without the operator being aware, when a vehicle reverses without adequate visibility, or when a worker is working in a traffic route without adequate segregation. **Struck by falling objects.** This includes workers being hit by tools, materials, or debris falling from height. These incidents often occur when materials are not adequately secured on scaffolding or elevated platforms, when tools are not tethered, or when exclusion zones below overhead work are not established or enforced. --- ## The Legal Framework The primary legislation governing struck-by risks on Irish construction sites is the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, which requires the PSCS to manage the risks from moving plant and vehicles as part of the Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, Part 3, Chapter 1, which deals with the use of work equipment, also applies. The Construction Regulations 2013 specifically require that construction sites be organised so that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely. This is not an optional extra; it is a legal requirement that must be addressed in the Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan before work begins. --- ## Segregation of Pedestrians and Plant The most effective control measure for preventing struck-by incidents involving plant and vehicles is the physical segregation of pedestrians from plant operating areas. Where it is not possible to eliminate the presence of plant and pedestrians in the same area, they must be separated by physical barriers. The site traffic management plan, which should form part of the Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan, must address: - The routes for vehicles and plant entering and leaving the site - The routes for pedestrians moving around the site - The points where pedestrian and vehicle routes cross, and how these crossings will be managed - The arrangements for reversing vehicles, including the use of banksmen - The speed limits for vehicles on site - The arrangements for deliveries, including the management of delivery vehicles Physical segregation measures include barriers, fencing, cones, and painted lines. On larger sites, separate gates for pedestrians and vehicles are strongly recommended. --- ## Reversing Vehicles A disproportionate number of struck-by fatalities on construction sites involve reversing vehicles. Reversing is inherently dangerous because the driver's visibility to the rear is limited, and workers on foot may not be aware that a vehicle is about to reverse. The following controls must be considered for reversing vehicles on site: **Eliminate reversing where possible.** Design the site layout so that vehicles can travel in a one-way circuit, eliminating the need to reverse. This is the most effective control and should be the first option considered. **Use banksmen.** Where reversing cannot be eliminated, a trained banksman must be used to guide the driver. The banksman must be in a position where they can see both the driver and the area behind the vehicle, and must use clear, agreed signals. The driver must not reverse unless directed to do so by the banksman. **Fit reversing cameras and proximity warning systems.** Reversing cameras and proximity warning systems can supplement the use of banksmen but should not replace them. These systems alert the driver to the presence of workers or obstacles behind the vehicle. **Establish exclusion zones.** Where vehicles are operating in a restricted area, establish an exclusion zone around the operating radius of the vehicle and enforce it rigorously. No worker should enter the exclusion zone while the vehicle is operating. --- ## Excavators and Slewing Plant Excavators and other slewing plant present a particular risk because they can rotate rapidly and the operator's visibility is limited. Workers who approach an excavator from the side or rear may not be visible to the operator. The following controls apply specifically to excavators and slewing plant: - Establish a clearly marked exclusion zone around the operating radius of the machine. The exclusion zone should extend to at least the maximum reach of the machine plus a safety margin. - Fit the machine with a proximity warning system that alerts the operator when a worker enters the exclusion zone. - Ensure that the operator and workers on site have agreed signals for communicating, and that the operator stops the machine whenever a worker needs to approach. - Never allow workers to pass under a raised excavator bucket or attachment. --- ## Falling Objects Falls of materials and tools from height are a significant cause of struck-by injuries on construction sites. The following controls must be implemented wherever work is carried out at height. **Toe boards and brick guards.** All working platforms on scaffolding must be fitted with toe boards at least 150mm high to prevent tools and materials from being kicked off the edge. Where there is a risk of materials falling through the guardrail, brick guards or debris netting must be fitted. **Tethering of tools.** Hand tools used at height should be tethered to the worker or to the scaffold to prevent them from falling if dropped. Tool tethering lanyards are widely available and are a simple and effective control. **Exclusion zones.** An exclusion zone must be established below all overhead work. The zone must be clearly marked with barriers and signage and must be enforced. No worker should be permitted to enter the exclusion zone while work is being carried out overhead. **Covered walkways.** On larger sites where workers must pass below areas where work at height is being carried out, covered walkways (also known as fans or crash decks) should be provided to protect workers from falling objects. **Netting.** Debris netting can be used to catch falling materials and tools. Netting must be properly installed and maintained, and must be capable of withstanding the impact loads it may be subjected to. --- ## High-Visibility Clothing All workers on construction sites must wear high-visibility clothing at all times. High-visibility clothing makes workers more visible to plant operators and vehicle drivers, particularly in poor light conditions or when workers are working in areas where plant is operating. High-visibility clothing is a minimum requirement, not a substitute for the physical segregation measures described above. A worker wearing a high-visibility vest who is struck by a reversing dumper is still seriously injured. High-visibility clothing reduces the risk but does not eliminate it. --- ## Inductions and Toolbox Talks All workers must receive a site induction before starting work on site. The induction must cover the site traffic management arrangements, the exclusion zones for plant, the procedures for working near plant, and the emergency procedures. Struck-by risks should be addressed regularly in toolbox talks, particularly when new plant arrives on site, when the site layout changes, or when an incident or near miss occurs. Workers who are aware of the risks and the control measures are better placed to protect themselves and their colleagues. --- ## The Role of the PSCS The PSCS has overall responsibility for managing struck-by risks on site. This includes: - Preparing a site traffic management plan as part of the Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan - Ensuring that all contractors comply with the traffic management arrangements - Carrying out regular site inspections to check that segregation measures are in place and being maintained - Investigating all struck-by incidents and near misses and implementing corrective actions - Reviewing the traffic management plan whenever the site layout changes or new plant arrives on site --- Struck-by incidents are preventable. If you need help preparing a site traffic management plan or reviewing your Construction Phase Safety and Health Plan to address struck-by risks adequately, Safety Check can assist. [Contact us](/contact) for practical, site-specific advice.