Being hit by a moving or falling object is among the top causes of workplace injury in the UK—yet it’s often overlooked in seemingly low‑risk environments. Here’s what UK data reveals, the impact on your business, and what you can do—starting with proper assessments and ergonomic checks.
📊 What the Numbers Say
According to 2023/24 RIDDOR data:
61,663 non‑fatal injuries were reported by employers.
Among them, “struck by moving or falling object” accounted for 10 %—that’s around 6 out of every 60 incidents .
A 2021/22 analysis named this the third‑most frequent cause of non‑fatal workplace injury—after slips/trips (32 %) and manual handling (17 %) .
When It Turns Fatal
Recent provisional RIDDOR fatality figures (2022/23) show:
29 deaths were caused by being struck by a moving object—20 % of all workplace fatalities, making it the second-largest cause after falls from height (40 deaths).
Though these fatalities mainly occur in industries handling machinery, construction, or logistics, office environments aren’t immune—think falling overhead lights, collapsing shelving, or unsecured items.
Why It Happens
Common scenarios include:
Items falling from unsecured shelving
Tools or equipment rolling or being tripped over
Vehicles or trolleys (e.g. pallet trucks) on shared walkways.
One HSE advisory report highlights that in food‑production industries, about a third of struck injuries come from falling items, and a quarter from tools—often due to unsecured storage.
A tragic example involved a fairground ride operator fatally struck by a moving ride component—investigators found no adequate risk assessment or safety controls in place
What Employers Need to Do
1. Carry out thorough risk assessments
Identify hazards across all areas—storage, walkways, maintenance zones—and eliminate risks where possible.
2. Secure items & equipment
Store heavy or unstable items low, use barriers or shelving restraints, and install bollards in staff and vehicle corridors.
3. Design safe traffic routes
Create clear pedestrian-only paths separate from trolleys or vehicles, supported by good visibility and signage.
4. Train staff effectively
Ensure employees understand safe practices—especially those handling trolleys, moving equipment, or working near storage areas .
5. Review and reassess regularly
Routinely audit the setup—especially after layout changes, equipment updates, or near-miss reports.
Being struck by a moving object is not limited to heavy‑industry. With around 10 % of non‑fatal and 20 % of fatal workplace injuries caused by this hazard, it’s clear every workplace must remain vigilant—even offices.
The solution starts with robust risk assessments, ongoing site reviews, and ensuring staff are trained to spot and prevent these avoidable incidents.
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