Not Falling for This “Focus Four” Hazard: Standdown to Prevent “Struck-By” Incidents
Construction work can be dangerous, which is why we take time to regularly train our employees and conduct routine safety awareness and hazard identification meetings.
Struck-by incidents remain one of the top causes of construction worker deaths. It’s no wonder why OSHA categorized them into their “Focus Four” (along with falls, caught-in/between, and electrocution). Gaines remains committed to preventing this “Focus Four” on our job sites. In collaboration with National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 20-24), we are discussing and preventing struck-by incidents across all of our job sites.
Our skilled and experienced operators take all preventative safety measures to protect everyone on site while behind the controls of our heavy equipment.
According to CPWR Center for Construction Research and Training, struck-by incidents are the second leading cause of fatalities among construction workers, with one in four “struck-by vehicle” deaths occurring in the construction industry. OSHA believes that of the struck-by fatalities in the industry, 75% of them involved heavy equipment.
How do we protect our crews from struck-by incidents?
“First and foremost, we identify these types of hazards,” said Safety Manager Tommy Trent. “Our crews have consistent, routine meetings to discuss and identify hazards, proactively mitigating them before they creep up on us.”
Our skilled and experienced operators take all preventative safety measures to protect everyone on site while behind the controls of our heavy equipment.
Other ways we prevent struck-by incidents include wearing proper PPE, following current industry practices and procedures, inspecting tools and equipment, maintaining vehicles, providing effective training, and encouraging a company-wide “safety-first” culture.
“We don’t cut corners when it comes to safety,” said Tommy. “We regularly inspect our vehicles, equipment, and tools and immediately address issues.”
“We treat our employees well, and because of that, they stick around. This is so important when it comes to safety,” said Safety Director Dominic Pope. “Our crews don’t just care for each other, but they can almost predict each other’s next move. When it comes to safety – including the struck-by incidents that we are focusing on this month – working together as a unified team leads to safer work.”
Gaines and Company is a full-service grading and excavation company with offices in Maryland and North Carolina. The organization has over 70 years of experience in underground utilities, grading and excavating, sediment and erosion controls, and road work. Gaines and Company delivers safe, reliable, turnkey site development services in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. on time and within budget.
