What Is a Caught-In or Between Hazard? (OSHA Fatal Four Explained)
A caught-in or -between hazard occurs when a worker becomes compressed, crushed, pinched, or trapped between two or more objects.
According to OSHA, caught-in or -between incidents account for about 5.5% of all construction fatalities, averaging 55 deaths each year.
These incidents are part of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” hazards, alongside falls, electrocutions, and struck-by events.
Caught-In vs. Struck-By Hazards: What’s the Difference?
Caught-in or -between incidents can be difficult to distinguish from struck-by hazards, but there’s a key difference:
- Caught-in or -between: The injury is primarily caused by crushing forces between two or more objects.
- Struck-by: The injury occurs when the impact of a moving object alone causes harm.
In short, caught-in hazards involve compression, while struck-by hazards involve impact. Learn more about struck-by hazards here.
Examples of Caught-In or -Between Hazards
Construction workers face three primary types of caught-in or -between hazards:
1. Caught in Machinery
This happens when a worker’s body, clothing, or equipment becomes entangled in moving mechanical parts. Examples include being pulled into rotating machinery, crushed by belts or gears, or strangled when clothing gets caught in equipment.
2. Buried In or By Materials
Trench cave-ins and material collapses are among the deadliest caught-in hazards. Workers can be buried within seconds under soil, debris, or materials, often resulting in fatal injuries due to the massive weight and pressure.
3. Pinned Between Objects
This occurs when a worker becomes trapped between two objects, such as equipment and a wall, or between a moving and a stationary object. Examples include being pinned by a rolling vehicle, shifting materials, or a collapsing structure.
Why Are Caught-In Hazards So Dangerous?
Caught-in or -between incidents are particularly dangerous because:
- They happen in seconds, leaving little time to react.
- The forces involved often exceed 1,000 pounds of pressure.
- Rescue operations are complex and can delay medical care.
- Machinery entanglements worsen as motion continues.
- Even minor entrapments can cause catastrophic injuries due to mechanical force amplification.
How to Prevent Caught-In or -Between Incidents
Prevention begins with awareness and safe positioning. Never place yourself between objects that could move, shift, or roll, and if entering such an area is necessary:
- Secure all objects to prevent movement.
- Use barricades to keep others out of the danger zone.
- Turn off and disable equipment before making repairs or adjustments.
- Use wheel chocks and lower blades or forks to prevent unexpected motion.
- Maintain machine guards and follow lockout/tagout procedures at all times.
- Unplug tools before changing bits or performing maintenance.
Staying alert and maintaining safe work habits are key to preventing caught-in or -between injuries and ensuring everyone goes home safely.
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