Caught-in or Caught-between Objects

Objective:

To understand why accidents involving being caught-in or between object occur and how to prevent them.

Trainer's Note:

Share the following scenarios concerning caught-in or caught-between incidents and discuss the reasons they occur and how they could be prevented.

Background

Caught-in or between accidents occur for some of the following reasons:

• Working on moving equipment.
• Working under mental or physical stress.
• Using unsafe equipment.
• Lack of training or instructions
• Inadequate guarding on machines.
• Incorrect hitching practices.

Examples of caught-in and caught-between accidents:

• While hauling hay, a worker stopped to change a flat wagon tire. The wagon fell, pinning the worker between the ground and the wagon.
• Two people were working on a combine when it fell off a jack, the workers were caught under the combine.

Never work under equipment that is supported only by a jack. The jack could tip and the raised equipment then will be dropped on the person under it. (Refer to the module Safe Use of Jacks.)

• An employee removed the shields on the PTO for repairs, but failed to replace them after service. Another employee got caught in the PTO.

After servicing, all PTO shields should be replaced for safe operation. Snug fitting clothing should be worn when working around a PTO. This will prevent clothing from being caught in the PTO. (Refer to the modules Safe Use of the Power Take Off and Power Take off Shielding.)

• When unhitching a wagon, a farmer forgot to chock the wagon wheels, and was caught between the shop wall and the wagon when the wagon rolled forward.
• A farm employee forgot to chock the livestock trailer when unloading cattle and was caught between the trailer and the corral gate.

While unloading or working on equipment, the wheels of equipment need to be pinned to hold them stationary. This procedure is called chocking. By chocking the wheels, the equipment will be unable to roll and cause injury. (Refer to the module Chock and Block.)

• While hitching a loaded hay wagon to a tractor, an employee was caught between the wagon and the tractor.

When helping someone to hitch equipment or an implement to a tractor, you should stand to the side and be clearly visible to the person driving the tractor. If you are standing in between the tractor and the equipment, you could easily be crushed between the two.

Review the Following Points

• Importance of using guards.
• Know how to properly operate equipment.
• Use caution when working with moving equipment.
• Importance of proper chocking techniques.
• Always follow safe operating procedures.

Quiz

True or False

1. Always replace the shields after servicing equipment.	T	F
2. Never work under equipment that is supported only by a jack.	T	F
3. When unhitching a wagon, it is not necessary to chock the wagon wheels.	T	F
4. It is not important to follow safe operating procedures.	T	F
5. Working on moving equipment may cause caught-between accidents.	T	F

Answer Key
1. T, 2. T, 3. F , 4. F, 5. T

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