How to Stay Safe on a Construction Site: Caught-in/Between Hazards

So far you have learned about fall hazards, struck-by hazards, and electrocution hazards. The last in our series of the “Fatal Four” is about caught-in or –between hazards. So what is a caught-in or –between hazard? It is a danger or risk where injuries occur from being crushed, squeezed, caught, compressed, or pinched in between objects or parts of an object.

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), caught-in/between cases occurred in 2.6% of construction worker deaths in 2013. It is the least common risk in the “Fatal Four” but it is still a serious concern. Let’s explore the major types of hazards in this category and what you can do to protect yourself.

What are potential caught-in/between hazards?

When you are surrounded by heavy equipment or machinery, the risks of getting caught-in or between these objects are high. Here are the common types of caught-in/between hazards that you will face on the job site:

Buried-in or –by hazards
Pinned between hazards
Machinery with moving parts that are not guarded

What can you do to protect yourself?

Most fatalities that occur on the construction site can be eliminated if workers used more safety precautions. It is very important to be aware of your surroundings and get the proper training to prevent injury or even death. Here are some basic ways that you can protect yourself:

Use properly guarded machinery
Use methods to support, secure, and make every machine safe
Protect yourself from becoming pinned between objects
Protect yourself on excavation sites
Training

If you would like more information on caught-in/between hazards, the “Fatal Four” or if you need OSHA training, visit the OSHA Education Center website. You can register for the 10-hour or 30-hour Training Online for Construction courses and get your Hazard Recognition Training Wallet Card.