Overhead Obstructions
Overhead obstructions are hazards that can cause serious or fatal injuries when equipment operators are struck by falling objects or make contact with fixed structures above them. These hazards include tree limbs, overhead power lines and equipment, bridges, building overhangs, and other fixed or natural objects.
Example: As the image shows, a worker suffered fatal injuries when a tree he was attempting to fell struck the cab of the hydraulic excavator. The tree fell in an unexpected direction and landed directly on the machine's cab, crushing it and killing the operator.
Operators can be injured when they are unaware of these overhead objects while operating heavy equipment, such as excavators, cranes, or dump trucks.
Poor visibility, rushing, or unfamiliarity with the site can increase the chances of accidents involving overhead obstructions.
Poor judgment of the available horizontal and vertical clearances is another hazard.
Overhead Obstruction Accident
Example: As the video shows, multiple hazards—such as lack of awareness, stress, excessive speed, and an overhead obstruction—can combine to cause what could have been a fatal accident. Fortunately, the worker repairing the streetlight was wearing fall-arrest protection. This incident highlights that the severity of an accident is most often just a matter of luck.
To prevent these types of accidents, workers must survey the job site for overhead hazards before operating equipment. Operators must be trained to recognize safe clearances and to avoid working directly under unstable or unsupported overhead objects. Proper planning, clear communication, and the use of spotters when visibility is limited are also important safety measures.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-8. A crane operator misjudges the boom height and hits a low bridge. What mistake led to the accident?
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