Line-of-Fire Hazards: Fast, Serious, and Preventable
Line-of-fire injuries happen fast and can lead to serious consequences—for your employees and your operations. Whether it’s a worker struck by moving equipment, caught in machinery, or exposed to a sudden release of pressure, these incidents are among the most common and costly workplace injuries.
What are line-of-fire hazards? They include three main types of risk:
Struck-by hazards – tools, vehicles, or materials hitting a worker
Caught-in/between hazards – workers pinned or crushed between objects or machinery
Stored energy release – sudden movement from compressed gas, hydraulic systems, or electricity
Why do they matter? These types of injuries often result in serious harm, lost workdays, and expensive downtime. Many are preventable, but they require active awareness and consistent safe practices on the job.
How can they be prevented?
Identify and address hazards before starting work
Maintain safe distances from moving parts and suspended loads
Enforce proper lockout/tagout procedures
Encourage clear communication among crews
Reinforce PPE use and hazard reporting
We’ve created brief, easy-to-share resources that introduce these key points in a quick and visual format.
Thank you for your continued commitment to workplace safety and employee well-being.
Watch our new Safety Tip Video on Line-of-Fire hazards
This short video is a perfect reminder of how to stay safe from line-of-fire threats.
Use it for presenting at team meetings, emailing directly to employees, or playing on internal digital displays.
Download it by clicking the three dots in the bottom right-hand corner of the play video screen.
