Caught-In or Between Hazards: Recognition and Prevention
Overview
Caught-in or between hazards occur when workers become trapped, caught, or crushed between objects, equipment, or structures, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
Why This Is Important
These incidents typically involve tremendous crushing or compressive forces that can cause severe injuries or death in seconds. The sudden nature of these accidents often leaves no time for escape or rescue.
Recognition and avoidance of caught-in/between hazards requires understanding equipment operation, proper procedures, and maintaining situational awareness at all times.
Best Practices & Safety Tips
Maintain Guards
Never bypass or disable machine guards, safety devices, or protective barriers. Report missing or damaged guards immediately.
Lockout/Tagout
Use lockout/tagout procedures before performing maintenance or repair work on equipment. Ensure all energy sources are controlled.
Avoid Pinch Points
Stay clear of pinch points, nip points, and areas where objects can compress or trap body parts. Never reach into moving equipment.
Proper Procedures
Use proper tools and procedures for clearing blockages or adjusting equipment. Never take shortcuts around safety procedures.
Common Hazard Areas
Machinery Hazards
- Pinch points: Where rotating parts come together
- Nip points: Where belts, chains, or gears meet rollers
- Shear points: Where cutting or slicing action occurs
- Crush points: Where parts move toward fixed surfaces
Equipment-Specific Risks
- Hydraulic and pneumatic systems that can move unexpectedly under pressure
- Conveyor systems with multiple pinch and nip points
- Press operations with tremendous crushing forces
- Rotating equipment including mixers, augers, and centrifuges
Environmental Hazards
- Confined spaces with entrapment potential
- Unstable materials that could shift or collapse
- Excavations with cave-in risks
- Vehicle operations in congested areas
Safety Procedures
Equipment Operation
- Maintain safe distances from operating equipment and moving machinery
- Never reach over moving equipment to retrieve materials or clear jams
- Be aware of equipment cycles and automatic operations
- Understand emergency stops and shutdown procedures
Maintenance and Repair
- Follow confined space entry procedures when working in areas with entrapment potential
- Secure materials and equipment to prevent unexpected movement or collapse
- Use proper lifting and rigging techniques for heavy components
- Verify zero energy state before beginning work
Discussion Questions
- Risk Assessment: What equipment or situations in your workplace present the greatest caught-in/between risks?
- Unsafe Practices: Have you ever observed unsafe practices that could lead to entrapment injuries? How were they addressed?
- Equipment Integrity: What would you do if you discovered missing or damaged machine guards?
- Hazard Awareness: How do you maintain awareness of pinch points and nip points when working around machinery?
- Emergency Response: What emergency procedures exist if someone becomes caught in equipment?
Remember: Caught-in/between hazards require absolute respect for machinery and equipment capabilities. Following safety procedures, maintaining guards, and never taking shortcuts around moving equipment are critical for preventing these often-fatal accidents.