Caught-in hazards are a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities in construction and general industry work environments. These hazards often develop during routine tasks, making it critical for workers to recognize where caught-in risks exist and how to prevent them before an incident occurs.
Understanding Caught-In Hazards
Caught-in hazards are a serious and often underestimated danger in many work environments. These hazards occur when a worker is caught, crushed, squeezed, or trapped between objects, equipment, or moving parts, and they frequently result in severe injuries or fatalities.
Common Jobs With Caught-In Hazards
Caught-in hazards can be found in many different tasks, for example:
- Electrical contractors working with powered cable feeders and pullers
- Mechanical technicians working inside of tight crawl spaces
- Plumbers and pipe-fitters using cutting, drilling or digging equipment
- Road construction crews performing work or standing near heavy equipment
- Utility construction crews working inside of trenches and excavations
Recognizing Caught-In Hazards Before an Injury Occurs
To prevent serious injuries or fatal incidents, the first step is recognizing where caught-in hazards exist. These hazards are commonly associated with rotating, reciprocating, or moving parts of equipment, as well as situations where workers are positioned between fixed objects and moving machinery.
Can you spot the caught-in hazards in these photos?
Identifying pinch points, unguarded moving parts, and areas where a worker could become trapped is critical to preventing incidents.
OSHA Requirements for Preventing Caught-In Hazards
To prevent injuries and possible fatal incidents, the first step is to recognize potential caught-in hazards, like these.
OSHA Standard 1926.300(b)(2) Belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating or moving parts of equipment shall be guarded if such parts are exposed to contact by employees or otherwise create a hazard.
This standard reinforces the importance of machine guarding as a primary method for eliminating caught-in hazards and protecting workers from contact with dangerous moving parts.
Preventing Caught-In Injuries
Preventing caught-in incidents requires a combination of hazard recognition, proper guarding, safe work practices, and worker training. Employers and workers should remain alert to changing job conditions and ensure that safeguards are in place before work begins.
Recognizing caught-in hazards early can make the difference between a near miss and a life-altering injury.
