5 Caught-In or Between Hazards That Put Workers at Risk Every Day

A caught in or between injury happens when a worker is crushed, pinned, or trapped. It can be between two objects, or between something that is moving and something that stays still. Most of the time there is little or no warning. OSHA calls these one of the “Fatal Four,” meaning the four types of accidents that kill the most workers. The other three are falls, being struck by an object, and electrocution. Fewer workers die this way than from falls, but when it happens the injuries are usually very serious. These accidents are not just a construction problem. They happen in warehouses, factories, on farms, and on city work crews. Learning to spot the everyday situations that cause them is the first step to stopping them. Here are five to watch for:

1. Trench and Digging Collapses

A trench cave in is one of the deadliest hazards on a job site. One cubic yard of dirt can weigh as much as a small car. A trench wall with no support can drop in a matter of seconds, which is faster than a worker can climb out. OSHA requires a protective system for any trench five feet deep or more. That means sloping the walls back, holding them up with supports, or using a shield such as a trench box. A trained worker, called a competent person, must check the trench before every shift and again whenever conditions change, such as after rain. The simple rule is to never get into a trench that is not protected.

2. Machines With Missing Guards

Conveyors, rollers, augers, and presses can pull in a hand or an arm in a fraction of a second. It usually happens for one of two reasons. Either a guard is missing, or the machine was not shut off and locked out before someone performed maintenance or cleared a jam. Preventing this injuries means covering every spot where moving parts come together and could pinch and locking out all energy sources before anyone reaches inside.

3. Workers Pinned by Moving Equipment

Forklifts, dump trucks, and loaders working in tight spaces can pin a person against a wall, a rack, or another machine. Backing up is the most dangerous part, because blind spots can hide a worker until it is too late. Spotters, backup alarms, high visibility vests, and marked walkways all help. But they only work if drivers and people on foot stay alert and talk to each other.

4. Stacked Material That Shifts or Falls

A stack of pallets, pipe, lumber, or product can tip or slide with no warning and pin a worker under it or against something else. This hazard is easy to miss because it builds up slowly. A stack that leans a little today can become unstable after a few more loads go on top. Keep material on ground that is level and solid. Do not stack it higher than the safe limit. Band it, rack it, or secure it some other way, especially in areas where people are walking by.

5. Getting Caught in Spinning Parts

Spinning shafts, drivelines, belts, and augers can grab loose clothing, long hair, gloves, or jewelry and pull a person in before they can get free. This is common on farms and in factories. The fixes are simple and they work. Put guards over spinning parts, wear clothing that fits close to the body, tie hair back, and take off jewelry.

Building Habits That Prevent These Accidents

Almost every one of these accidents can be prevented. It takes the right equipment, real training, and people paying attention every day. Machine guards, trench protection, clear routes for traffic, and safe material storage all lower the risk. But they only help if supervisors continue to enforce them, and if workers know they can stop a job when something does not look right. At Safety Consultants USA, we help companies find these hazards before someone gets hurt. We do site assessments, training on specific hazards, and help create safety programs built around the way your operation runs. If it has been a while since your last review of caught in or between hazards, now is a good time to schedule one.