Crush

Caught or Crushed Injuries

Each year, workers suffer approximately 125,000 caught or crushed by injuries that occur when body parts get caught between two objects or entangled with machinery. These hazards are also referred to as “pinch points.” The physical forces applied to a body part caught in a pinch point can vary and cause injuries ranging from bruises, cuts, and scalping to mangled and amputated body parts, and even death.

Workers in oilfield and other industrial settings are all affected by caught or crush hazards to some degree. Get training and learn about the caught/crush hazards and pinch points specific to your tasks, tools, and equipment so you can take precautions.

Dress appropriately for work with pants and sleeves that are not too long or too loose. Avoid wearing loose and dangling jewelry. Tie back long hair and tuck braids and ponytails behind you or into your clothing. Wear the appropriate, well-fitting gloves for your job.

Look for possible pinch points before you start a task. Take the time to plan out your actions and decide on the necessary steps to work safely. Give your work your full attention. Don’t joke around, daydream, or try to multi-task on the job – most accidents occur when workers are distracted. Read and follow warning signs posted on equipment. If you value all that your hands can do, THINK before you put them in a hazardous spot.

Machinery can pose a hazard with moving parts, conveyors, rollers and rotating shafts. NEVER reach into a moving machine. Properly maintain and always use the machine and tool guards provided with your equipment; they act as barriers between the moving parts and your body. Don’t reach around, under or through a guard and always report missing or broken barriers to your supervisor. Turn equipment off and use lockout/tagout procedures before adjusting, clearing a jam, repairing, or servicing a machine.

Caught/crush hazards are not limited to machinery. Vehicles, cranes, and forklifts can pose a crush hazard unless they have been blocked or tagged out. Never place your body under or between powered equipment unless it is de-energized. Heavy loads crates can pinch fingers and toes. Take care where you place your fingers. Test the weight before lifting, carrying, and placing boxes; an awkward or heavy load can slip and pinch your hands or feet. Get help or use tools to move large and/or heavy items.

If you have ever slammed your finger in a door, you can appreciate the pain associated with this common type of caught/crush injury. Take the time to learn about the caught/crush hazards in your workplace so you don’t learn about the consequences first hand.

OilfieldStuff.com. (hereinafter OFS) make no representations about the suitability of the information contained on this web site for any purpose. This web site and all of the information it contains is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whether express or implied. In no event shall OFS be liable to any person or business entity for any special, direct, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this web site or any other web site to which this site is linked, including, without limitation, any lost profits, business interruption, or loss of programs or information. OFS shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this web site and reserves the right to make changes without notice. User therefore acknowledges and accepts that the information published on this web site may include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. The hypertext links on this web site will allow you to leave this web site. The links are provided as a service to users and are not sponsored by or affiliated with this web site or under the control of OFS. The links are to be accessed at the user's own risk, and OFS and the authors of this web site make no representation or warranties about the content of these links. OFS is not responsible for the content of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site. OFS is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by OFS of the site.