Keeping Yourself and Others Safe While on the Job
Caught-in-between injuries are one of the most common hazards on the job. Construction workers are at particularly high risk for injuries related to being caught in or between objects. Most of the injuries caused by being caught-in or between objects are preventable, caused by inadequate safety measures or inexperience.
If you sustain a caught-in/between injury while at work, you might be entitled to compensation. At Freeburn Law, we represent individuals who have been injured on the job in Pennsylvania. Let us fight for you to receive the maximum recovery allowed by law. If you or someone you love is injured by being caught-in or between objects, contact our office at (717) 777-7777 for a free case evaluation.
What Are Caught-In/Between Injuries?
Caught-In/Between injuries along with falls, struck by objects, and electrocutions are considered the top four construction hazards by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Often referred to as construction’s “Fatal Four,” these hazards account for a significant amount of work-related fatalities in the industry.
Caught-In/Between injuries are generally defined as the harm that occurs when someone is caught in heavy machinery or between a piece of equipment and another object. If you are injured by being caught-in or between machinery while at work, you might be entitled to compensation. It is important to discuss your case with a manual labor injury lawyer as early as possible.
Safety Tips for Avoiding Caught-In/Between Injuries
OSHA and other regulatory agencies recommend several safety tips for avoiding caught-in/between injuries. Failure to follow these safety measures or for an employer to provide adequate training can result in serious harm or even death.
Preventing caught-in/between injuries at work:
- Do not enter “an unprotected trench or excavation 5 feet or deeper without an adequate protective system in place.”
- Ensure that the “trench or excavation is protected either by sloping, shoring, benching or trench shield systems.”
- Make sure safety guards on equipment are in place.
- Keep a safe distance from machinery in operation.
- Perform routine maintenance and repair on all equipment.
- Wear protective gear and “close-fitting clothing.”
- Engage in all safety training offered by your employer.
Failure to provide and require safety training for employees is not only dangerous, but it can also be deadly. If your employer does not provide training on all equipment, you should not operate it.
What to Do If You Are Injured at Work
In the event that you are injured at work, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Notify your supervisor of the accident and ask someone to call 911. Getting emergency medical treatment may prove critical to your recovery.
Once you are able, contact an attorney. Depending on the situation, you might be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits or be able to pursue a lawsuit against a liable party.
Contact Our Office for a Free Case Evaluation
Were you or a loved one injured while at work? Contact our office at (717) 777-7777 for a free consultation. At Freeburn Law, we have recovered millions on behalf of our clients and will not rest until you get the justice you deserve. Call now to speak directly with a member of our legal team.