Construction Safety Talk Series: Caught-In or Between Hazards

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4-11-2016 Caught-In or -Between HazardsAccording to OSHA, Caught-In or -Between Hazards are defined as: Injuries resulting from a person being squeezed, caught, crushed, pinched, or compressed between two or more objects, or between parts of an object. By identifying caught-in or -between hazards, and understanding how they happen, we can take steps to protect ourselves.

Types of Caught -In or -Between Situations And What to Be Aware Of:

Cave-Ins / Collapses

  • Trenches or excavation sites with inadequate wall bracing or benching / sloping.
  • Walls collapsing during demolition.
  • Scaffolding collapse.

Pinned Between / Crushed

  • Machinery that is not Locked Out / Tagged Out.
  • Rigging failures resulting in dropped loads.
  • Moving equipment that can pin objects against a wall or other equipment.

Entrapped / Caught In

  • Machinery that has unguarded moving parts.
  • Machinery that is not Locked Out / Tagged Out.

How to Protect Yourself:

  • Always be aware of situations where you can become trapped or crushed by an object.
  • Use machinery that is properly guarded.
  • Use Lockout / Tagout and then verify the machine is in zero energy state.
  • Barricade open areas where you can become trapped or crushed.
  • Use proper guarding in open excavations and trenches.
  • Install adequate bracing, or rigging, to ensure that items do not fall or move unexpectedly.
  • Always make eye contact with equipment operators, and never walking behind, or in a swing radius of, machinery.

What is Your Employer’s Responsibility?

  • Provide guards on power tools and other equipment with moving parts.
  • Support or secure (make safe) equipment having parts that workers could be caught between.
  • Ensure equipment is prevented from tipping or rolling over and has ROPS in place with seatbelts in use.
  • Prevent workers from being in pinch point areas of equipment.
  • Provide protection for workers during trenching and excavation work.
  • Prevent workers from being crushed by dropped or collapsing materials during construction and demolition work or high winds.
  • Designate a competent person to ensure safe work practices are practiced.
  • Provide proper training for workers, including how to recognize and avoid hazards on-site.

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