Working with machinery becomes a common type of caught-in and caught-between hazard primarily when workers are operating, maintaining, or interacting closely with heavy equipment and machinery. Key situations include:
- Operating machinery such as excavators, cranes, forklifts, and other heavy equipment where workers can get caught in moving parts or trapped between the machine and other objects.
- Performing maintenance or repair work on machinery without proper lockout/tagout procedures or machine guarding, risking entanglement in moving parts.
- Handling materials with machinery, where unsecured loads or equipment failure can trap or crush workers.
- Using power tools improperly or removing safety guards, which can lead to body parts or clothing being caught.
- Loading and unloading machinery onto trucks or trailers, which can cause workers to be caught between equipment and vehicles or other obstacles.
These hazards are common in industries like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture, where heavy machinery operation is frequent and proper safety protocols may be bypassed or not fully implemented.
