How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 27 severe incidents involving blackboards, bulletin boards, mirrors, and signs between 2016 and 2025. Cuts, lacerations, and punctures account for 56% of all reported cases. These injuries occur suddenly, leaving you with little time to react to falling or shifting objects.
The physical impact of these incidents is significant, frequently affecting your forearm, wrist, or brain. Because these objects are often heavy or made of glass, the resulting trauma can lead to long-term impairment. You may require extensive medical treatment to address these sudden, high-impact injuries.
How these injuries happen
Injuries from these objects typically occur when you handle items improperly or when they fail to remain secured to walls and fixtures. Being injured by an object you are handling and being struck by a falling object each account for 35% of incidents. Whether a mirror shatters during transport or a heavy sign detaches from its mounting, these accidents often stem from a lack of proper handling procedures or inadequate wall anchoring.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Injured by object handled by person | 9 |
| 2 | Struck by falling object | 9 |
| 3 | Struck against stationary object | 3 |
| 4 | Struck by propelled, falling, or suspended object— unspecified | 2 |
| 5 | Struck by propelled object or substance | 1 |
| 6 | Overexertion while materials moving by hand | 1 |
| 7 | Struck by suspended or swinging object | 1 |
Where injuries happen most
Construction leads all sectors with 44% of reported incidents, as you may handle heavy mirrors and signage during installation and site preparation. Administrative services and retail trade also see frequent injuries, as you may move or mount displays without the necessary equipment or training to prevent the object from falling or breaking.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns involve you performing routine tasks like moving mirrors or taking signs out of crates when the object suddenly slips or shatters. These incidents often reveal failures in basic handling protocols or the use of improper equipment for securing heavy materials. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident to determine if employer negligence played a role.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TX | Manufacturing | "An employee was rotating a glass mirror on a polishing machine. The mirror broke and fell on his left wrist, causing a laceration to the wrist." | |
| 2024 | TX | Other Services | "An employee was preparing a vehicle outside of the paint booth and when he turned and his right eyelid was caught by the parts hanger. He sustained a laceration to the top of his eyelid." | |
| 2024 | AK | Construction | "An employee was working at a dock. A lock-out board came loose and hit the employee, breaking the employee's lower leg." | |
| 2023 | CO | Administrative Services | "An employee was taking a sign out of a crate when the sign fell on them. The employee sustained a punctured lung, injury to a hip and leg, and a contusion." | |
| 2023 | PA | Construction | "An employee was throwing a mirror into a dumpster when the mirror shattered and lacerated the employee's arm." | |
| 2023 | PA | Construction | "Two Rycon employees were installing glass marker boards in a nearly completed space. Each employee had a suction cup on the face of the board and a hand on the bottom of the board. Upon hanging the third board in sequence on a hang strip mounted to the wall, the board needed to be moved about half an inch to butt tightly to the adjacent one. When the employees moved the marker board, it shattered causing half of the board to fall and cause a severe laceration to an employee's left wrist." | |
| 2023 | PA | Health Care | "An employee was sitting in their chair when a large cork board fell off the wall and struck her head and left arm. The employee sustained a concussion." | |
| 2023 | FL | Health Care | "On May 15, 2023, an employee removed a mirror from the bathroom to discard it. As the employee went to place it on the cart, the mirror broke. The employee sustained a laceration on the right forearm that required surgery." | |
| 2022 | TX | Manufacturing | "An employee was bending over to pick up a marker from the floor. A whiteboard fell from its base and struck the back of the employee's head, causing a head injury." | |
| 2022 | NY | Construction | "An employee was hammering to remove a mirror from a column enclosure. The top part of the mirror fell, shattered, and lacerated his left upper arm." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Workers' Compensation is designed to cover medical expenses and lost wages for injuries sustained during the course of your employment. Even if the injury seems minor at first, deep lacerations can require surgery or lead to nerve damage that impacts your ability to work. An attorney can help you ensure your claim accurately reflects the full extent of your medical needs.
Employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace, which includes ensuring that heavy objects like signs and bulletin boards are properly installed and maintained. If a sign fell because it was improperly mounted or the hardware was faulty, your employer may be liable for the resulting injuries. An attorney can help you investigate whether safety standards were ignored in your workplace.
If you suffered a fracture or head injury from a falling object, your first priority is seeking immediate medical attention and documenting the incident with your supervisor. It is important to keep copies of all medical records and accident reports to support your claim for benefits. An attorney can help you navigate the complexities of your Workers' Compensation claim.
OSHA requires employers to maintain a safe environment, which includes the proper securing of materials and equipment to prevent struck-by hazards. While specific regulations depend on the industry and the nature of the object, employers must provide training and safe tools for handling heavy or fragile items. An attorney can help you determine if your employer failed to meet these safety obligations.