Caught-in or Caught-between Objects

Kent McGuire – OSU Ag Safety & Health Coordinator

As we progress into harvest season, consider the hazards associated with agricultural equipment.  In some instances farmers can find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, and in a situation to be caught-in or caught-between objects, which can lead to serious injuries. Caught-in or between incidents can occur from some of the following reasons:
- Working on or around moving equipment
- Working on equipment with stored energy (Example: Hydraulic cylinder)
- Inadequate guarding on equipment or guards have been removed exposing moving parts
- Incorrect hitching practices
- Not being visible to the equipment operator
- Unaware of approaching danger in the work environment
 
Some guidelines to use to prevent caught-in or caught-between incidents should include:
- Always shut down equipment before doing repairs or inspecting of equipment.
- Never work under equipment that is supported only by a jack. Use a secondary support device.
- Use the cylinder safety locks on equipment that support hydraulic cylinders, to prevent the release of stored energy in the cylinder.
- After servicing equipment make sure all guards are in place and properly secured
- When hitching or unhitching equipment, stand to the side, and be clearly visible to the tractor driver.
- Chock the wheels on equipment that could move or roll.
- Leave an escape route to prevent getting pinned between two objects.
- Use extra caution when working around equipment with belts / pulleys: chains / sprockets: or PTO shafts.

 

For more information about agricultural safety, visit http://www.agsafety.osu.edu, or contact Kent McGuire, Safety & Health Coordinator for the OSU College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, at mcguire.225@osu.edu or 614-292-0588.