Why this matters
Workers can be struck by vehicles, swinging loads, flying objects or falling material. Identify the energy path and stay out of it. The purpose of this talk is to turn a general safety rule into a job-specific decision. Point to the actual equipment, work area and people involved, then agree on the controls and the conditions that would make the crew stop and reset.
A scenario to discuss
During Struck-By Hazards, the field condition changes enough that the original plan no longer matches what the crew is actually doing. Nothing has gone wrong yet. What specific hazard and control should be rechecked before the next step?
Before work starts
- Walk the actual work area and point out the exposure instead of discussing it only in general terms.
- Inspect the equipment/control that prevents the injury and make sure the crew knows how to recognize failure.
- Assign responsibility for the final check and for stopping work if conditions change.
- Stay outside equipment swing radii and controlled access zones.
- Keep clear of suspended loads and never work beneath them unless specifically protected and authorized.
Common failure points
- Talking about the rule without pointing to the actual hazard.
- Assuming everyone understands the same work sequence and control.
- Continuing after field conditions no longer match the plan.
Safe work sequence / controls
- Stay outside equipment swing radii and controlled access zones.
- Keep clear of suspended loads and never work beneath them unless specifically protected and authorized.
- Secure materials and tools that could fall or roll.
- Use guards, barriers and PPE for flying chips, fragments and sparks.
- Make eye contact or establish communication with equipment operators before approaching.
Stop and reset the plan if...
- The planned control is missing, damaged or no longer fits the actual condition.
- A new worker, adjacent trade, piece of equipment or change in sequence creates an exposure not discussed.
- The crew cannot explain who is responsible for the critical check or action.
Questions worth asking the crew
- What specific condition in the work area makes this topic relevant today, rather than just a rule we are reviewing?
- What control can the crew physically point to before work starts, and how do we know it is ready to use?
- What part of the task, sequence, or nearby work is most likely to challenge that control?
- If the planned method cannot be followed, what has to be resolved before the crew substitutes a different method?
- Has anyone seen a close call involving struck-by hazards or a similar task? What condition or decision would we handle differently on this job?
Make it real on the job
Point to the actual hazard and have one crew member show the control that prevents the injury.
Close the talk
Before the crew starts, everyone should be able to explain the hazard, point to the control being used today, and name the condition that would make the work stop.
Related authoritative reference
OSHA Construction Focus Four - Struck-By Hazards · Open reference ↗
This is a practical discussion guide, not a substitute for required training, a competent person, permits, manufacturer instructions, employer procedures, or applicable federal/state/local requirements. Adapt it to the actual task and conditions.
