When the Job Strikes Back: Preventing Struck-By Injuries in Construction

ICW Group outlines struck-by hazards in construction, including falling objects, PPE, exclusion zones, and tool-lanyard use. Here’s what matters for dropped-object prevention.

When the Job Strikes Back: Preventing Struck-By Injuries in Construction

Source: ICW Group

Summary

ICW Group frames struck-by hazards as one of construction’s most serious injury categories and emphasizes that prevention depends on combining PPE, visibility, equipment control, exclusion zones, inspections, and worker training. The article is broader than dropped-object prevention alone, covering flying, falling, swinging, and rolling-object hazards, plus vehicle and heavy-equipment exposure. For Tool Tied’s audience, the most relevant sections are the falling-object controls: securing tools and materials, using tool lanyards at height, installing toe boards, and maintaining stable loads. The article also usefully connects hazard awareness to field execution by stressing inspections, housekeeping, and access control. As a newsroom item, this is a solid awareness piece for safety professionals, though it is more introductory than technical and stops short of detailed tether-selection, compatibility, or ANSI/ISEA 121 implementation guidance.

Key Facts

  • Who: ICW Group published the article for construction employers and workers focused on reducing struck-by injuries.

  • What: The piece defines struck-by hazards, outlines four common categories, references applicable OSHA construction standards, and recommends practical prevention steps including PPE, visibility, tool security, inspections, exclusion zones, and training.

  • When/Where: Published July 23, 2025, on ICW Group’s Articles & Insights section.

  • Outcome: The article positions struck-by incidents as largely preventable and specifically recommends tool lanyards, toe boards, and proper material storage as part of jobsite controls.

Quotes

“There are four common struck-by hazards in construction: Struck-by flying objects, Struck-by falling objects, Struck-by swinging objects, Struck-by rolling objects.” — ICW Group
Context: Useful framing for readers because it places dropped objects within the wider struck-by hazard family.

“Use tool lanyards when working at height, install guardrails and toe boards where appropriate, and store materials properly to prevent shifting or tipping.” — ICW Group
Context: This is the article’s clearest direct link to dropped-object prevention and practical control measures.

Takeaways

  1. The article is broadly about struck-by prevention, but its strongest relevance to Tool Tied is its direct recommendation to secure tools and materials when working at height.

  2. It reinforces that dropped objects should be managed as part of a layered control strategy, not as a stand-alone PPE issue.

  3. The OSHA references support a compliance-aware discussion, especially around falling-object protection, training, and material storage.

  4. This is a good top-of-funnel educational source for awareness content, but not a substitute for detailed tether-system design guidance.

  5. The piece creates a natural bridge from general struck-by awareness to more specific discussion of tethering, compatibility, and inspection practices.