Protecting Workers from Struck-By Incidents

More than 150 construction workers die each year from struck-by incidents, making them the second leading (behind only falls to a lower level) work-related cause of death in the industry.

While the first images of struck-by incidents often involve moving vehicles, especially in a roadway work zone, the reality is more complex. According to OSHA, struck-by incidents also include being struck by objects that are falling, flying, swinging, or rolling. Examples include workers injured by objects dropped or falling from above; unsecured materials that are pushed, kicked, or blown by wind from the ground or a truck bed; interactions with heavy equipment or machinery with moving parts; or materials swinging from a crane.

CPWR monitors these incidents closely, then shares the resulting data with the industry. The 7th edition of the Construction Chart Book’s interactive dashboard about the Focus Four documents struck-by injuries, and a Data Bulletin earlier this year examined transportation incidents.

Because national data on struck-by is limited -- especially when it comes to root causes -- CPWR has conducted two surveys to learn more. This research has provided important knowledge about contractors’ awareness and prevention of struck-by incidents, their causes, barriers to prevention, effective solutions, and more. Our Small Study Program, which continues to accept applications (see below), recently supported a study on a safety checking system for autonomous heavy equipment. 

Since then, we have used the data and our surveys to help move research to practice, including through our work with the NORA Construction Sector Council Struck-by Work Group. To create safer jobsites, we have developed numerous materials to support the annual Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents, as well as an in-depth Planning Program to Prevent Struck-by Incidents that draws on theories and practices from behavioral economics. We have also hosted several webinars on the topic, including one happening later today.

Today at 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Creating a Sphere of Safety: Preventing Struck-By Hazards from Every Direction

This webinar serves as a follow-up to the NIOSH NORA Construction Sector Council Work Group’s April 2026 webinar on the Use of Positive Protection Devices for Work Zone Safety, and will provide a comprehensive look at non-roadway struck-by hazards and practical strategies contractors can use to prevent them. Moving beyond a single hazard or direction of exposure, speakers will discuss the various risks that can come from above, around, beside, and within the worker’s immediate work area. These risks include dropped and falling objects, moving equipment and machinery, pinning and crushing hazards, unexpected movement from stored or mechanical energy, and worker-equipment interactions. Our panel of industry and safety experts will share contractor perspectives, real-world prevention programs such as STOP the DROP, approaches to spotter use and mechanical lockout/tagout, and current research, resources, equipment, and protective strategies. The moderated discussion will emphasize strategies we can use to work together to create and maintain a “sphere of safety” around workers throughout changing construction operations.

Moderator: MK Fletcher, MSPH, Deputy Director, CPWR

Panelists:

• Marisa “Reese” Fortin, District HS&E Manager, Sundt Construction
• Travis Weber, Senior Director EH&S, Haselden Construction; Stop the Drop Task Force Member
• Jay W. Hocutt, CSP, SGE, CWD, STS, UCOR Program Manager, Construction Heavy Equipment & Mobile & Portable Equipment
• Travis Parsons, MS, Director of Occupational Safety & Health, Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America (LHSFNA)

Click here to register and submit questions in advance

Tuesday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern (1 hour)

Introducing Built to Last: A Toolkit for Collaborative Leadership in Construction Safety, Health, and Mental Health

Organizational change can be a key element of reducing jobsite incidents and improving worker well-being in the construction industry. To help companies make those changes and enhance workers’ safety, health, and mental health, a CPWR-funded team from the University of Colorado Anschutz, in partnership with the University of Connecticut and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, has spent the past two years developing Built to Last™: A Leadership and Well-being Toolkit. Built to Last pairs practical leadership training for managers, supervisors, and crew leaders with peer-driven design teams that bring workers and leadership together to identify jobsite problems and quickly test solutions. Companies can use it to address a wide range of challenges, from falls and other physical hazards to mental health risks like stress, so that safety, health, and mental health become part of everyday operations instead of being considered separately. Learn more about the toolkit's development and pilot testing, along with the reactions and perceptions of those who have used it.

Moderator: MK Fletcher, MSPH, Deputy Director, CPWR

Panelists:

• Natalie Schwatka, PhD, MS, Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Science in Worker Health, Safety, and Well-Being and Certificate in Total Worker Health Program at the Centers for Health, Work & Environment, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz
• Olivia Zarella, DrPH, MPH, Research Associate for Implementation Science at the Centers for Health, Work & Environment, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz

Click here to register and submit questions in advance

Live Spanish interpretation will be available.

CPWR is currently looking for candidates for three positions:

• Post-Doctoral Researcher
• Program Assistant — Energy Employees Unit
• Program Assistant — Training Department

CPWR is located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, close to public transportation and public parking. We offer competitive salaries and an exceptional benefits package. Learn more about the positions and working at CPWR from our website.