Have you ever heard of the ‘Line of Fire’?
At first, it sounds dramatic.
Like something out of an old western film – standing between two rival cowboys, caught in the middle of a shootout.
But in reality, it has nothing to do with weapons or even actual fire, at least not in our work activities. The “Line of Fire” refers to being exposed to danger.
A simple moment – a real risk
Imagine this: You’re walking down the street, lost in thought, and pass underneath a ladder leaning against a building. In some cultures, that might be considered bad luck. But more importantly – it can be dangerous. Because in that moment, you’ve stepped into a space where something could fall, shift or move unexpectedly. You’ve entered the ‘Line of Fire’.
It’s not always obvious. But it’s exactly these everyday situations that show how quickly we can find ourselves in harm’s way – often without even realising it.
From everyday life to the job site
Now imagine similar situations – not on a quiet street, but on a busy construction site or in a workshop. Walking under scaffolding where tools could fall. Standing behind a reversing vehicle. Working close to moving machinery or pressurised systems. These are all classic examples of line-of-fire hazards.
In workplaces such as those of the KAEFER Team, these are integral to daily operations.
Already strong – but aiming even higher
At KAEFER, safety has always been a core priority. With our global reporting app ProtACT, powered by Sphera, we have taken a major step forward in strengthening transparency and awareness around incidents, near misses and observations. In fact, more than 130,000 observations were reported in 2025 alone.
This doesn’t mean there were 130,000 accidents. Quite the opposite. It shows that our KAEFER Teams are actively identifying risks – spotting potential hazards such as slips, trips or missing protective equipment before something happens.
This level of awareness is a strength. But it also shows us where we can improve.
Looking closer: the missing piece
While many observations focus on common risks, one area has been reported less frequently: line-of-fire hazards.
And yet, they play a significant role. In fact, internal analyses show that a large proportion of recordable incidents are linked to line-of-fire situations. This means, that these risks are real. And they are often overlooked.
A global focus: making the invisible visible
That’s why KAEFER has launched a dedicated campaign focusing specifically on ‘Line of Fire’.
The goal is simple – but powerful: To sharpen awareness for risks that are not always immediately visible.
Across all KAEFER entities worldwide, teams are encouraged to increase their focus on line-of-fire observations – with a clear target: around 20% of reported observations should relate to this category.
But this is not about numbers. It’s about understanding. Because only when risks are recognised, they can be prevented.
From awareness to action
To support this, teams are provided with practical tools and formats:
Employees are encouraged to actively look at their workplace with fresh eyes:
- Where could something move unexpectedly?
- Where could energy be released?
- Where am I in the ‘Line of Fire’?
Because awareness starts with asking the right questions.
Where danger hides: more than the obvious
Some ‘Line-of-Fire’ risks are easy to spot:
- A suspended load during lifting operations.
- A worker positioned below scaffolding.
- Moving vehicles with limited visibility.
But others are less obvious:
- Tensioned lines that can snap back.
- Loose objects that may roll or slide.
- Hands placed too close to moving machinery.
Or even something as simple as using a tool with one hand instead of two – turning a routine task into a potential hazard. Moments like this are crucial.
Out of line, out of danger
The principle is simple: If you are not in the ‘Line of Fire’, you avoid danger.
That means:
At KAEFER, everyone has the responsibility and the authority to stop work if a situation is unsafe.
Because safety is not just a system. It’s a mindset shared by everyone.
Seeing differently – acting earlier
The ‘Line of Fire’ campaign is not about highlighting problems. It’s about sharpening perception. About recognising risks earlier and making the invisible visible. And about continuously improving what is already a strong safety culture. Because even in a well-established system, there is always room to get better.
How many can you spot?
So, here’s a question: Would you recognise a line-of-fire hazard if it was right in front of you? Because these situations don’t only exist on construction sites. They are part of everyday life too – often hidden in plain sight. Walking under a ladder. Standing too close to a moving object. Reaching into a space where something could shift or fall.
On site, this is exactly what a “hazard hunt” is about – taking a step back, looking at your surroundings with fresh eyes and identifying risks before they turn into incidents. Because once you start seeing them – you can start avoiding them.
Note: Written by humans – with a little help from GenAI. This article combines human understanding and intelligent digital tools to bring KAEFER stories to life.