Understanding "Caught-In/Between" - The Crushing Reality

Welcome back, let's Build Smart & Build Safe! This week, we're tackling another one of the "Fatal Four" hazards: Caught-In/Between. While it may seem similar to being "struck-by," this type of incident is distinct and often has devastating consequences.

A "caught-in/between" incident occurs when a person is squeezed, crushed, or trapped in, on, or between two or more objects. The force involved is often immense and unforgiving, leading to severe crushing injuries, amputations, or death.

Common Scenarios of Caught-In/Between Incidents:

These incidents are a constant threat on a job site, present in many different forms:

• Trench or Excavation Collapse: This is perhaps the most well-known and lethal caught-in/between hazard. A worker is buried or crushed by tons of collapsing soil.

• Unguarded Machinery: Workers can get caught in rotating parts, belts, pulleys, or other pinch points on machinery, leading to entanglement and amputation.

• Crushing Between Objects: A worker can be pinned between a piece of heavy equipment and a wall, between a load and a truck bed, or crushed by collapsing materials.

• Entanglement: Loose clothing, hair, or jewelry can get caught in moving machinery, pulling a worker in.

The Danger is in the Force:

What makes these incidents so dangerous is the high-force, high-pressure nature of the event. A split-second mistake or an overlooked safety measure can result in being crushed between a moving and a stationary object.

This week, we'll dive into the specific controls and procedures for each of these scenarios, starting with the most serious: excavations. Understanding these risks is the first step toward creating physical separation and awareness.

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-The Safety Man