FACTS

Accidents that can result from inadequate blocking practices include:

1. If the blocking materials used to support the raised equipment are not strong enough or appropriately positioned, the equipment may collapse, potentially injuring workers.
2. If the raised equipment or work shifts unexpectedly due to improper blocking, it can lead to workers falling from tall heights, resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
3. If blocking fails, equipment may shift or fall, causing injuries to workers.
4. Unstable raised equipment can also pose a striking hazard. If the equipment tilts or moves unexpectedly, it can strike nearby workers, causing injuries.
5. If blocking materials are not appropriately secured or positioned, they can create tripping hazards for workers moving around the area, leading to falls and injuries.
6. Inadequate blocking can cause the equipment to shift or collide with other machinery.
7. If blocked equipment comes into contact with electrical components or power sources, it can create electrical hazards, leading to shocks or electrocutions.
8. Blocked equipment might generate heat or sparks, potentially leading to fire hazards.

STATS

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are more than 50,000 “struck by falling object” recordable injuries every year in the United States. According to Statistics Canada, more than 40,000 workers get hurt each year because of falls and injuries related to improper equipment usage.
• More than half (51%) of fatalities involving being struck by an object or equipment were caused by falling objects or equipment.
• Approximately 75% of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment such as trucks or cranes.
• According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), in 2019, Canada’s Workers’ Compensation Boards (WCBs) accepted a total of 271,806 claims of lost time due to injuries that occurred on the job site. In the U.S., the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported  2.8 million workplace injuries and illnesses that occurred on the job site in 2019.