Struck-by Accidents in The South Africa Construction Industry

In South Africa's construction industry, "struck-by" accidents are a significant concern. According to the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM), in 2024, "struck by" accidents accounted for 33% of reported workplace accidents among its policyholders.

These accidents involve workers being hit by moving vehicles, falling objects, or machinery, which can lead to severe injuries or even death.

Key statistics

• Fatalities: Between 2014 and 2023, FEM recorded a total of 76,796 injuries in the industry, with 25,755 of these being "struck-by" accidents. This represents about 43% of the total injuries and a significant portion of fatalities during this period.
  
  
• Types of Struck-By Accidents: These accidents can occur from various sources, such as:

Falling objects: Items like bricks, timber, or construction tools falling from heights can cause severe injuries to workers below.

Moving vehicles: Workers may be struck by trucks cranes, or other vehicles on construction sites.

Machinery and equipment: Improperly handled or malfunctioning machinery can cause "struck-by" accidents.

Contributing Factors:

1. Lack of Awareness: In many cases, workers may not be fully aware of the risks posed by heavy machinery or falling objects, especially in high-traffic construction areas.
2. Inadequate Safety Measures: Inadequate safety barriers, improper use of protective gear and insufficient safety training are common causes of these accidents.
3. Working Conditions: High-risk environments like scaffolding, overhead work and crowded construction sites increase the chances of struck-by accidents.

Struck by definition: A struck-by accident occurs when a worker comes into forcible contact or impact between the injured person and a flying, falling, swinging or rolling object.

Safety Initiatives:

FEM launched their "Zero Is No Accident" campaign to promote safety and reduce these types of accidents. This initiative emphasises better safety training, stricter adherence to safety protocols and a culture of safety within the industry.

Efforts to reduce struck-by accidents include:

• Proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment): Ensuring that workers wear helmets, high-visibility clothing and other safety gear.
• Safety Protocols: Implementing strict safety measures, including traffic control on construction sites and the use of barriers to prevent falling objects.
• Training and Awareness: Providing workers and supervisors with regular safety training and promoting a safety-first culture.

While significant progress has been made, "struck-by" accidents continue to be a serious concern in the South African construction industry, highlighting the need for ongoing safety improvements.

Sources:

• https://roe.fem.co.za/Stats#/Accident-Stats
• Struck survey conducted in 2023

Neil Enslin | Head OHS