Workers are often at risk of injury in falling object accidents, this is when heavy objects are displaced and fall from above with the potential to cause serious injury. Falling object accidents occur due to a lack of communication that prevents workers from being warned when work is going on overhead, when loads are being moved or secured improperly, or when protective head gear is not worn.

Causes of Falling Object Injuries

• Objects falling from construction scaffolding and platforms.
• Objects falling from a load that is being lifted, carried or lowered overhead.
• Dropped hand tools or other equipment being used while work is going on at a higher level.
• Loose boxes or other objects that get displaced and fall off from stacked merchandise overhead.
• Falling objects dropped by workers at a higher level.
• Workers are not provided with adequate personal safety equipment that can protect them from falling objects.
• Inadequate signage or barriers warning employees that there is work going on overhead.
• Loads being lifted or carried overhead may not secured properly, leading to objects getting dislodged and falling.

Prevention of Accidents from Falling Objects

• Any loads that must be lifted to a high position must be secured properly with strong restraints to prevent them from slipping and falling.
• If a load is placed on a construction scaffold, there must be secured guardrails to prevent objects from falling.
• Workers must be discouraged from lifting loads or lowering them over other workers' heads.
• Employers must cordon off areas where heavy load lifting and lowering activities are underway. 
• All precautions must be taken to prevent materials from falling from a platform while they are being stacked.
• When any overhead work is going on, workers below must be given sufficient warning in the form of signs or barricades.
• Any tools and materials that are used in a high position must be secured to prevent them from falling on workers below.
• Canopies or nets must be used to catch any falling objects.
• Workers must be provided protective equipment like hardhats to protect them from injuries caused by falling objects Any protective hats must be appropriate to the danger of the work situation.
• Guardrails and toeboards must be erected along platform edges to protect workers below.