Common Hazards: Falls, Electrocution, Struck-by, Caught-in/Between
Identify and mitigate the most frequent construction hazards.
Course Category
Hazard Identification & Risk Management
Lecturer
Michael
Connell
Enrolled Learners
0 learners
Last Updated
23-12-2025
Level
All Levels
Available Language(s)
English
What you'll learn
- Recognize common construction hazards and associated risks.
- Implement targeted control measures for each hazard.
- Apply fall protection and electrical safety practices on site.
Requirements
Foundational safety knowledge recommended.
Description
This course highlights four high-risk hazard categories and provides practical controls, equipment selections, and work methods to prevent incidents.
Real-world scenarios illustrate how to plan for safe execution of high-risk tasks and how to monitor workers effectively.
The four hazard categories are Falls, Electrocution, Struck-by, and Caught-in/Between. The course explains how these hazards arise on construction sites and the typical risks and controls for each category.
Falls can occur from unprotected edges, ladders, scaffolds, holes, or working at height without proper protection. Preventive measures include implementing a fall protection plan, installing guardrails, using personal fall arrest or restraint systems when required, ensuring safe access, and training workers.
A fall protection program includes hazard assessment for work at height, selection of appropriate controls (collective and personal), training, inspection and maintenance of equipment, anchor point verification, and rescue planning.
Guardrails provide collective protection where feasible for fall prevention. Personal fall arrest systems are used when work at height cannot be fully covered by guardrails or when access requires exposure to higher fall risks, and always with proper training and inspection.
Main hazards include contact with overhead or buried power lines, damaged or frayed cords, exposed conductors, wet conditions, and improper grounding. Always de-energize equipment before work, maintain safe clearances, and use appropriate protective measures.
Keep electrical equipment in good condition, de-energize and lock out/tag out when performing maintenance, use GFCIs in appropriate locations, maintain dry working conditions, and wear appropriate PPE for the task.
'Struck-by' hazards involve injury from objects in motion, such as vehicle traffic, crane loads, tools, or falling objects. High-risk tasks include crane lifts, material handling, and work near vehicle lanes or overhead loads, all requiring exclusion zones, spotters, and hard hats.
Controls include establishing exclusion zones and barricades, using spotters and communication signals, directing traffic, securing loads, and ensuring workers wear appropriate head protection and eye protection as needed.
'Caught-in/Between' hazards occur when a worker is crushed or caught between moving parts, equipment, or between ground and equipment. Tasks include working near unguarded machinery, conveyors, gaps, and trench walls; guarding, LOTO, and proper guarding reduce risk.
Safeguards include machine guarding and interlocks, regular maintenance of equipment, energy isolation (LOTO), guarding gaps, and proper barricades; using engineered controls reduces exposure to crush points.
Identify energy sources, isolate and de-energize equipment, apply lockout devices or tagout devices, verify isolation, and ensure stored energy is controlled; only trained workers should perform LOTO and documentation must be kept.
Review task steps, access routes, work at height, electrical proximity, and potential moving loads; consult site drawings and previous incident data; document hazards and required controls before starting work.
Unprotected edges, missing barricades, exposed wiring, wet floors near energized equipment, unguarded machinery, or crowds of workers in the vicinity without barriers can indicate uncontrolled hazards; raise concerns and implement controls before continuing.
Near-misses should be reported immediately per site procedures, recorded, and investigated to determine root causes, with corrective actions assigned and tracked to closure; share lessons to prevent recurrence.
PPE such as hard hats, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, gloves, hearing protection, and fall arrest lanyards are used. PPE protects but does not replace engineering controls or safe work practices; it must be properly selected, fitted, and maintained.
Falls are a leading cause of injury on construction sites; training improves hazard recognition, correct use of protection systems, inspection routines, and response in emergencies.
Inspect cords and equipment before each use and conduct periodic inspections by qualified personnel according to site procedures and relevant standards; remove damaged items from service.
Maintain safe distances, de-energize lines where possible, use insulated tools, and establish approved exclusion zones and a lookout; ensure all workers are trained on electrical hazards and procedures.
Rain, wind, and heat can increase slip, electrical conductivity, and fatigue risks. Take precautions such as slip-resistant footwear, keeping dry surfaces, avoiding high-risk tasks in extreme weather, and reviewing control measures before work begins.
Rescue planning should specify who will perform rescue, what equipment is required, access to the fall arrest or confined space, communication methods, and coordination with trained rescue personnel; practice drills improve readiness.
This follow-up quiz focuses on prevention strategies, risk assessment, control measures, emergency response, and safe work practices for common hazards on construction sites.
$100.00
This Course Include
1 hours
1 quizzes
33 lessons
Full lifetime access
