According to OSHA, caught-in/between hazards are classified as one of construction’s “Fatal Four” – the deadliest types of accidents that cause the most worker deaths.
To prevent becoming pinned by equipment, avoid placing yourself between a piece of equipment and a solid object, such as a wall, another piece of equipment or stacks of jobsite materials. Any immovable structure or object can be a hazard if you are between it and a piece of equipment.
When performing maintenance or moving a stuck piece of equipment, never assume the machine will not move, even if it is disabled. A lock-out/tag-out procedure must be followed to ensure the equipment is not accidentally energized during the process. Also, if the equipment has a bucket or a blade, don’t begin any type of work prior to fully lowering the attachment.
For more tips on avoiding this type of accident, visit our Safety Watch page and select the topic Caught In-Between for downloadable safety information.