A short safety awareness session focussing on how to identify and prevent line of fire hazards and risks.

1. LINE OF FIRE INCIDENT PREVENTION
Compiled by
Rudi Nieuwoudt

2. What is “Line of Fire”?
Line of Fire – Recognize and Avoid
The line of fire is the path an object will travel should things go wrong. A few examples include;
Cutting towards yourself
Cutting towards yourself places your hand in the line of fire. Should the
knife slip, your hand will be the next object it cuts.
Placing yourself under suspended loads.
Used tag lines to ensure there is enough distance between you and the
load while still having control of it.
Placing yourself in the path of a projectile.
Pay attention to where you place your body.

3. Line of Fire hazards are one of the most deadly hazards found in Construction, second only to Slip, Trips and
Falls.
Line of Fire – Recognize and Avoid
Heavy Equipment
and Machinery
Hand and
Power Tools
Material
handling
Excavations
Unsafe Behaviors
• Never pull equipment or tools toward your face or body.
• Perform a Job Safety Analysis(JSA) before beginning work to
identify all the hazards.
• Be aware of weather conditions that can put you in the line of fire.
Winds may put you in the line of fire if materials are not secured
properly.
• If you are hoisting materials, barricade the area around the
hoisting zone.
• When working around equipment that is remote controlled or
could potentially start up always lock and tag it out.
• When working around mobile equipment make sure the operator
knows you are there.
• Never work around equipment with missing guards.
• Never attempt to operate equipment that is locked or tagged out
or remove the lock or tag.
Situations where line of fire risks are commonly found: Tips on how to avoid line of fire risks.