Preventing Struck-By Incidents Toolbox Talk

Struck-by incidents happen when a worker gets hit by moving equipment, falling tools or materials, swinging loads, rolling objects, or debris coming off a task. These injuries can happen fast and with little warning, especially when crews are working around vehicles, cranes, elevated work, cutting operations, or poorly secured materials.

This talk focuses on where struck-by hazards show up on the jobsite, what the crew should watch for before work starts, and how to stay out of the line of fire during the day. The goal is to prevent head injuries, broken bones, crushed hands and feet, and serious incidents caused by moving or falling objects.

Why This Matters

• Struck-by incidents can cause serious injury or death in a split second.
• Many struck-by hazards are created by normal work activities like driving, hoisting, cutting, and material handling.
• Workers can be hit even when they are not part of the task if they enter the wrong area.
• Poor planning, bad housekeeping, and weak communication make these incidents more likely.
• Staying alert and out of the line of fire protects both the crew doing the work and everyone nearby.

Common Hazards

• Working near moving trucks, forklifts, loaders, or other mobile equipment.
• Standing under suspended loads or too close to crane and rigging operations.
• Tools or materials falling from ladders, scaffolds, lifts, or upper levels.
• Pipe, conduit, lumber, or other stored material rolling, shifting, or tipping over.
• Flying chips, fragments, or debris from cutting, grinding, chipping, or demolition work.
• Backing equipment with poor visibility or no clear spotter communication.
• Working beside a load being landed near a wall, column, or opening where it can kick out or swing unexpectedly.

Safety Checklist

Before Work Begins

• Identify where moving equipment, overhead work, and suspended loads will be active.
• Set barricades, warning lines, or exclusion zones where needed.
• Inspect stored materials to make sure they are stacked, chocked, and secured properly.
• Check that tools, loads, and materials are secured before lifting or working at height.
• Confirm who is spotting, signaling, and controlling equipment or hoisting operations.
• Make sure required PPE is worn, including hard hats, eye protection, and high-visibility gear where needed.

During Work

• Stay out of the line of fire and do not stand under suspended loads.
• Keep clear of equipment travel paths, swing radius areas, and blind spots.
• Use tag lines, spotters, and clear hand signals when moving loads.
• Secure tools and materials so they cannot fall from height.
• Do not walk under scaffolds, lifts, or active overhead work unless protection is in place.
• Watch for shifting, rolling, or unstable materials during handling and storage.
• Slow down or stop work when visibility is poor, the area is crowded, or communication breaks down.
• Keep unauthorized workers out of active lifting, cutting, demolition, and equipment zones.

Crew Talking Points

• Where on this site are the biggest struck-by hazards today?
• What equipment routes, lift areas, or overhead work zones need to stay clear?
• Are materials stored in a way that prevents rolling, sliding, or collapse?
• Who is responsible for spotting, signaling, and controlling access around active work?
• What tasks today could create flying debris or falling object hazards?
• Raise any concern now about line-of-fire exposure, blind spots, suspended loads, or overhead work before the shift gets moving.

Stop Work If

• You are being asked to work under a suspended load or active overhead task.
• Equipment is moving without clear communication, a spotter, or enough visibility.
• Stored materials are unstable, shifting, or not secured.
• Barricades or exclusion zones are missing where they are needed.
• Tools or materials at height are not secured against falling.
• The work area is too crowded or uncontrolled to keep workers out of the line of fire.

Final Reminder

Struck-by incidents usually happen when someone is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Stay alert, stay clear, and never put yourself in the line of fire.