Weekly Safety Training Topic No. 2623

Caught-in or -between hazards

Caught-in/between hazards, along with falls, struck-by, and electrocution; make up the Focus Four hazards identified by OSHA as the leading causes of fatalities in construction.

Caught-in between hazards include:

  • Cave-ins (trenching).
  • Being pulled into or caught in machinery and equipment.
  • Being compressed or crushed between rolling, sliding or shifting objects, (examples: semi-trailers and a dock wall or between a truck frame and a hydraulic bed that is lowering).

Prevent caught-in/between hazards

  • Moving parts of power tools and equipment need to be safeguarded. For example, belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, flywheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating or moving parts of equipment must be guarded if the parts are exposed to contact by workers.
  • Avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that can be caught in moving parts.
  • Before working on equipment follow lock out tag out procedures and make sure that your equipment is de-energized and cannot be started accidentally.
  • Lower or block the blades of bulldozers, scrapers, and similar equipment before you make repairs or when the equipment is not in use.
  • Be aware at all times of the equipment around you and stay a safe distance from it.
  • Never place yourself between moving materials and an immovable structure, vehicle or stacked materials.
  • Make sure that all loads carried by equipment are stable and secured.
  • Stay out of the swing radius or cranes and other equipment.
  • Wear a seatbelt to avoid being thrown from a vehicle and then potentially being crushed by the vehicle if it tips over.
  • Do not work in an unprotected trench that is 5 feet deep or more and do not work outside of the protection system! $/Common/

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The information and recommendations contained in this “Weekly safety training topic” have been compiled from various sources believed to be reliable and represent the best current opinion on the subject. The Builders, a chapter of the AGC, in no way guarantees, insures or warrants the absolute correctness or sufficiency of any information contained within. The Builders expressly disclaims all liability and assumes no responsibility therewith. For more information, please call 816.55.4158.