What must you do for safety when working under booms or buckets?

• A. Block up and secure
• B. De-energize equipment
• C. Wear reflective vest only
• D. Alert supervisor before entering

Answer: (A)

When a worker must be under a boom or bucket, the priority is to immobilize the equipment so it cannot drop or move. Blocking up and securing means placing solid cribbing or supports under the load-bearing points to hold the arm or bucket firmly in place on a stable, level surface. This creates a safe, stable workspace and prevents crushing injuries if hydraulic pressure changes, a mechanical failure occurs, or the load shifts.

De-energizing the equipment helps reduce movement, but it doesn’t guarantee the load won’t lower or shift due to stored energy or gravity. A reflective vest doesn’t address the hazard of a suspended load, and simply alerting a supervisor doesn’t secure the equipment. Blocking up and securing directly removes the danger by physically stabilizing the suspended load.