Which practice helps prevent struck-by injuries when cranes operate near personnel?

• A. Establish Exclusion Zones, Post Barriers, Use Spotters, Communicate Movements In Advance
• B. Allow Personnel To Stand In Load Path To Observe
• C. Remove Barriers To Improve Access
• D. Operate Without Spotters

Answer: (A)

Preventing struck-by injuries when cranes work near people comes from creating and maintaining a safe area around the crane’s load path and ensuring clear, ongoing coordination between the operator and ground personnel. Establishing Exclusion Zones sets a defined, safe perimeter so no one is in the area where the load could swing or drop. Post Barriers reinforce that boundary physically, making it hard to cross into the danger zone and reminding everyone of the hazard. Using Spotters provides real-time visibility of the load and its path from ground level; they can guide movements, alert the operator to where people are, and stop actions if someone enters the area. Communicating Movements In Advance ensures everyone understands the plan, timing, and path of the lift, reducing surprises and miscommunications that could put workers in harm’s way.

The other practices are unsafe because they remove crucial protections: standing in the load path exposes workers to swinging or dropping loads; removing barriers allows entry into the hazard zone; operating without spotters eliminates essential coordination and the chance to detect unseen risks.