Struck-By: Working Around Heavy Equipment

Why it matters

Struck-by incidents are one of construction’s Fatal Four, and equipment blind spots are measured in truck lengths, not feet. The operator cannot see you, cannot hear you, and is watching the load, not the ground. Eye contact before approach is the rule that keeps feet attached to legs.

Hazards

• ⚠ Workers in blind spots behind and beside excavators, skid steers, and trucks
• ⚠ Backing equipment without a spotter
• ⚠ Swinging counterweights and buckets in the machine’s slew radius
• ⚠ Equipment operating near workers on foot in tight areas
• ⚠ Loads lifted over people

Controls and safe practices

• ✓ Make eye contact and get acknowledgment before approaching any machine.
• ✓ High-visibility vests on everyone, every day, no exceptions.
• ✓ Use a dedicated spotter for backing and for work near foot traffic. Standard hand signals only.
• ✓ Stay out of the swing radius. Barricade it where the machine works in one spot.
• ✓ Never stand or walk under a suspended load.
• ✓ Operators: seatbelt on, horn on backing, park with bucket down and brake set.

Crew discussion questions

1. What equipment is running today and where are its blind spots?
2. Who is spotting, and does everyone know the hand signals?
3. Where do people on foot cross equipment paths on this site?
4. Are any lifts today passing over areas where people work?

Applicable OSHA standards

29 CFR 1926.600, 29 CFR 1926.601, 29 CFR 1926.602

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• Fall Protection Basics
• Heat Illness Prevention
• Lockout / Tagout: Controlling Energized Circuits
• Trench and Excavation Safety
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