Struck-By Hazards - Employer Requirements

For heavy equipment, employers must protect employees in the following ways:

• Determine whether the ground is sufficiently level and firm to support the anticipated weight of hoisting equipment and associated loads.
• Assess hazards within the work zone that would affect the safe operation of hoisting equipment such as power lines and objects or personnel that would be within the swing radius of the hoisting equipment.
• Erect barriers to mark the area covered by the rotating superstructure to warn workers of the danger zone.
• Ensure that the equipment is in safe operating condition via required inspections.
• Comply with all manufacturer procedures regarding proper operational functions of equipment, including its use with attachments.
• Ensure safe attachment of rigging devices such as shackles, hooks, eyebolts, spreader beams and slings, wedge sockets, and wire rope clips.
• Provide seat belts when required.
• Ensure roadways and grades are maintained to accommodate the safe movement of equipment and vehicles.
• Ensure all earthmoving and compacting equipment with an obstructed view does not operate in reverse gear unless the equipment has a reverse signal alarm, or a worker has been designated to signal when it is safe.

For motor vehicles, employers must protect employees in the following ways:

• Have the jobsite coordinator (supervisor or foreman) conduct a hazard assessment of the worksite, including the following:
  • Make a thorough assessment of potential worksite safety hazards.
  • Plan for work being conducted in close proximity of a public road or highway and for the safe handling of intermittent roadway traffic stoppages, such as a truck entering a roadway.
  • Plan the entry and exit to and from the worksite to reduce exposure to traffic.
• Post construction areas with legible traffic signs at points of hazard.
• Erect barricades that conform to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
  • Place necessary warning signs along the road.
  • Depending on the work being done, warning signs should be used such as ROAD WORK AHEAD, SHOULDER WORK, or ROAD MACHINERY AHEAD. If a flagger will be used, a FLAGGER AHEAD sign should also be used.
• Provide all workers on site with a safety and operations orientation.

To learn more about Focus Four Safety visit our Construction Focus Four Safety Online Training web page.