Introduction
Caught-In and Caught-Between injuries are some of the most serious and often overlooked workplace hazards. These injuries occur when a worker becomes trapped, pinned, or crushed between objects, machinery, or equipment. They can happen in a variety of industries, from construction to manufacturing, and have the potential to cause severe harm or even death.
Caught-In and Caught-Between Injuries
The following are a few examples of caught-in/caught-between injuries:
- Fingers, arms, or legs being caught in moving belts or parts, such as hoists or conveyors
- Workers underneath or inside machinery being crushed or trapped without proper energy control procedures
- Being trapped between a wall and heavy machinery
- And, body parts, clothing, hair, and jewelry being caught in operating equipment
Caught-in/caught-between injuries are not only associated with machinery. Vehicles, powered doors, and forklifts also pose crushing hazards, unless they have been blocked or tagged out.
Pinch Points
Caught-in or crushing injuries can also be referred to as “pinch points.” A pinch point is a location where two objects, moving or stationary, come together, creating a risk of injury. Pinch point injuries typically occur on the hands and fingers but can occur anywhere on the body. Injuries resulting from pinch points can vary, such as:
- Bruises and cuts
- Scalping
- Mangled and amputated body parts
- Or, death
Safeguards are control measures used to reduce or eliminate pinch point injuries. Safeguarding procedures may include:
- Eliminate the hazard by ensuring proper guards are in place
- Pay attention to body placement around moving parts
- Do not place body parts where you cannot see them
- Wear proper gloves for the task; gloves may increase your risk of caught-in/caught-between injuries depending on the task
- Ensure machines are properly locked and tagged when performing maintenance/inspections tasks
- And, properly block equipment or parts where stored energy could be released
Machinery, Vehicles, and Forklifts – Safety Precautions
Machinery, vehicles, and forklifts pose a hazard with moving parts, conveyors, rollers, and rotating shafts. However, there are safety precautions that can help reduce injuries, such as:
- Do not reach into moving machines
- Maintain and use machine/tool guards provided with the equipment
- Do not reach around, under, or through a guard
- Report missing or broken barriers/guards to supervisors
- And, turn equipment off and use lockout/tagout procedures prior to adjusting, clearing a jam, repairing, or servicing a machine
Vehicles and Heavy Equipment – Safety Precautions
To protect yourself from hazards involving vehicles and heavy equipment, it’s important to be aware of the following safety measures, including:
- Know the location of all machinery on the jobsite
- Use caution when in the vicinity of moving vehicles and heavy equipment
- Pay attention to reversing vehicles/heavy equipment
- And, do not stand between swinging parts and a stationary object
General Safety Precautions
The following general safety precautions can be used for any type of equipment that poses a risk of caught-in/caught-between injuries:
- Perform a risk assessment and determine possible pinch points/caught-in/caught-between hazards
- Read warning signs posted on equipment/machines
- Be cautions when placing hands or arms near moving parts
- Do not remove guards or safety devices from equipment
- Turn off equipment/machines prior to maintenance tasks
- And, do not place your body between a stationary and moving object
Protective Clothing, Jewelry, Long Hair, and Beards
When working around moving or rotating parts, remove any loose clothing and jewelry and tie back long hair and beards. Gloves may be used, but some tasks may increase the risk of injuries when gloves are worn.
Resources
OSHA has a PDF that provides information on caught-in/caught-between hazards.
JJ Safety provides safety meetings, programs, and online safety training on topics like caught-in/caught-between.
Conclusion
Caught-In and Caught-Between injuries are serious hazards that can result in devastating consequences if not properly addressed. By understanding the risks and implementing proper safety measures, such as using protective equipment, ensuring equipment is properly maintained, and following workplace safety protocols, we can significantly reduce the chances of these injuries occurring.