Caught-in or betweenOSHA Focus Four
Pinch points and caught-in or between
Hands, limbs, or whole bodies caught in machinery, crushed between equipment and a fixed object, or buried by collapsing material. Caught-in or between is one of OSHA's Focus Four construction hazards.
Where it shows up
- Hands at the point of operation on saws and benders
- Workers pinned between equipment and a wall
- Rotating shafts and augers
- Setting forms, pipe, or precast panels
- Trench cave-ins
Controls, most effective first
Work down the list. Rely on PPE only for the risk the controls above it cannot remove.
| Level | Control |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Guards in place on belts, gears, shafts, and blades |
| Barricade the swing radius of cranes and excavators | |
| Use tools or push sticks to keep hands clear | |
| Administrative | Lock out equipment before clearing jams or doing maintenance |
| Agree on hand signals before setting heavy pieces | |
| No loose clothing, jewelry, or long hair near rotating parts | |
| PPE | Gloves that fit, kept away from rotating parts |
PPE to list on the JHA
Work glovesSafety-toe bootsHard hat1926.100
OSHA standards
| Citation | Title |
|---|---|
| 29 CFR 1926.300 | General requirements (tools) |
| 29 CFR 1926.1424 | Work area control |
Federal OSHA construction standards. State plans can be stricter, and owners or contracts can add requirements. This page is general information. Check the full standard for your work.