Course Overview

Struck-By Hazards: Working Safely Around Heavy Moving Machinery is a practical, safety-focused online training course designed to help workers recognize and prevent struck-by incidents in high-risk industrial environments. Struck-by hazards are among the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities in construction, oil & gas, mining, warehousing, and manufacturing operations.

This course examines how workers can be injured by moving vehicles, mobile equipment, swinging loads, flying debris, and shifting materials. Through real-world scenarios, visual demonstrations, and hazard recognition exercises, learners will develop the skills needed to identify danger zones, understand equipment blind spots, and apply effective control measures.

Participants will learn how engineering controls, administrative procedures, communication systems, and personal accountability work together to reduce risk when operating near cranes, forklifts, loaders, haul trucks, and other heavy machinery.

By the end of this course, learners will be better equipped to anticipate struck-by hazards, make safe decisions in dynamic environments, and contribute to a culture of proactive safety.

Target Audience

Construction workers

Oil & gas personnel

Warehouse and logistics workers

Heavy equipment operators

Riggers and signal persons

Maintenance technicians

Supervisors and safety professionals

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:

Define struck-by hazards and distinguish them from caught-in/between hazards.

Identify common struck-by hazard sources, including:

Moving vehicles and mobile equipment

Swinging or suspended loads

Falling or shifting materials

Flying particles and debris

Rotating or traveling machinery

Recognize danger zones and equipment blind spots around heavy machinery.

Explain the role of line-of-fire awareness in preventing struck-by incidents.

Apply safe work positioning techniques when working near moving equipment or suspended loads.

Demonstrate proper communication protocols, including hand signals, radio communication, and spotter coordination.

Identify engineering and administrative controls that reduce struck-by risk (barriers, alarms, exclusion zones, traffic plans).

Participate in a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to evaluate struck-by hazards before beginning work.

Respond appropriately to changing site conditions, including weather, visibility, congestion, and simultaneous operations.

Support a safety culture by reporting near misses and reinforcing safe behaviors among coworkers.