In an effort to actively reduce workplace injuries and fatalities caused by struck-by incidents, North Carolina's Labor Commissioner Luke Farley has unveiled a new safety initiative. This move comes in response to an alarming trend in North Carolina where such incidents have overtaken falls as the leading cause of workplace injuries and deaths. Farley stated at ABB in Mebane, "In the last two years, struck-by incidents have overtaken falls from heights as the leading cause of workplace injuries and deaths in North Carolina," according to a recent statement on the North Carolina Department of Labor's website.
The initiative focuses on bringing down the incidence of workers being hit by objects — a leading hazard in both the general industry and construction. "Recognizing this troubling trend, I've directed our Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) Division to establish a special workplace safety initiative aimed to eliminate struck-by incidents through education, outreach, and targeted enforcement," Farley said in an announcement. The plan is to begin with strategizing and conducting outreach during its first year, including the development of compliance materials and providing training and consultation services.
The initiative seems particularly relevant in light of the successful measures employed by ABB, where the manufacturing unit manager, Julia Des Chenes, emphasized their commitment to safety, "At ABB, safety comes first—always. Every employee has the power to stop work if conditions aren't right," she said. ABB has recently transitioned to a Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) Warehouse system, which aims to minimize workers’ exposure to moving equipment and falling materials.
In establishing the new safety program, a multifaceted team dubbed the Struck-By Task Force has been created to ensure the initiative's implementation. Farley has highlighted the importance of this team, hoping to forge a path forwards that dramatically reduces these preventable injuries. "The Task Force’s structure ensures accountability and alignment across all key divisions to advance this critical safety initiative," according to the North Carolina Department of Labor's press release. In addition to the new initiative, North Carolina's Department of Labor plans to enhance existing safety programs within the construction and warehousing sectors.
The North Carolina Department of Labor is preparing to work in tandem with workers and employers in reducing workplace safety hazards. "The Department of Labor is committed to working collaboratively with workers and job creators to reduce preventable workplace safety hazards," Farley added. Further details on the initiative and a repository for training and consultation resources are available on the NCDOL's website.
