Rate of nonfatal struck-by injuries in construction falls between 2011 and 2019: CPWR report

Silver Spring, MD — The rate of nonfatal construction worker injuries resulting from struck-by incidents decreased 20% over a recent nine-year period, according to a new report from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training.

Using 2011-2019 data from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, researchers calculated a rate of 23.4 nonfatal struck-by injuries per 10,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2019 – down from 29.3 in 2011. Additionally, in 2019, the private construction industry reported 20,600 nonfatal struck-by injuries, which accounted for 25.8% of total nonfatal injuries reported in construction.

The report was published in the April issue of CPWR’s Data Bulletin.

In other CPWR developments, the organization recently released a series of infographics related to several leading causes of construction injuries and fatalities, as well as resources related to falls, struck-by hazards and head protection.

To help prevent struck-by injuries and fatalities, CPWR advises workers to:

• Never work under a load.
• Stay outside the swing radius of cranes and backhoes.
• Tether tools to a work belt when working from height.
• Wear high-visibility clothing and proper safety gear.
• Create zones that separate workers and pedestrians from moving vehicles and heavy mobile equipment.