Systems and techniques are disclosed that monitor an area adjacent to power system components and detect objects that may pose a probable risk of causing a fault, for example, making contact with the power system component. Various embodiments initiate a preventative, a corrective, and/or a mitigative action in advance of the fault. Examples of possible actions include, but are not limited to, an audible alert, a visual alert, a tactile alert, a remote notification, a limiting of machinery motion, a stopping of machinery motion, a reversing of machinery motion, de-energization of the power system component, or combinations thereof.