March 28, 2014. Recently, in Nebraska, a construction company was cited by OSHA following an employee's death caused by a front end loader striking the employee. 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. According to OSHA in Region VII out of Kansas City, "struck-by" hazards continue to be one of the leading causes of injury to workers. OSHA has investigated 37 cases in the past six years in Region VII in which a worker was fatally injured from a struck-by vehicle incident. The fatality in Nebraska also involved the employer's failure to properly conduct safety inspection of the vehicle being driven that struck the employee. It is often times the case that employers do not provide for regular and verifiable equipment specific safety inspections as otherwise required under OSHA regulations.
For additional information to help prevent accidents at the workplace, contact the Goosmann Law Firm at info@goosmannlaw.com or call 712-226-4000.