Region 7 News Release: 13-1880-KAN
Sept. 24, 2013
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA continues outreach campaign in Midwest
to protect workers from 'struck-by' vehicle incidents on job sites

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In the past five years, 15 percent of all workplace fatalities investigated by the Kansas City Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration have involved struck-by vehicle accidents in the workplace. Struck-by injuries and fatalities are caused by conventional traffic/passenger vehicles, forklifts and other moving, powered industrial equipment, such as cranes and yard trucks. Because of this, OSHA is continuing its regional outreach initiative in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska to educate workers and their employers about preventing such accidents.

"We've investigated 37 cases in the past six years in which a worker was fatally injured from a struck-by vehicle incident," said Marcia P. Drumm, OSHA's acting regional administrator in Kansas City. "By continuing to spread awareness and safety tips through workers, employers, union groups and the like, we can help avoid these preventable tragedies."

Causes of struck-by accidents typically involve reverse vehicle movement into a pedestrian outside the driver's field of vision, or vehicles falling off ramps, inclines or unstable ground. Accident prevention strategies include ensuring back-up alarms are functional, walk periphery of vehicle before operating, staying alert, obeying all traffic rules and signs, minimizing distractions, inspecting and maintaining vehicles, using safety belts and turning on headlights.

OSHA has developed educational materials called Evaluate Your Entire Surroundings, or E.Y.E.S., available in both English and Spanish. The materials include a one-page fact sheet with incident data and prevention strategies; an "OSHA Region 7 Informational Guide for Preventing Struck-By Accidents"; a brochure that covers risk assessment steps, common operator errors and safety tips; and a laminated poster.

Electronic copies of materials regarding this initiative, as well as limited printed copies, can be obtained for free by contacting OSHA's offices in St. Louis at 314-425-4249; Wichita, Kan., at 316-269-6644; Kansas City at 816-483-9531; Omaha, Neb., at 402-553-0171; or Des Moines, Iowa, at 515-284-4794. Please request to speak with the duty officer when ordering.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

###

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.