Caught-in / between in Food manufacturing
Caught-in or between hazards remain a significant risk in food manufacturing environments where high-speed machinery and automated processing lines operate in close proximity to personnel. Implementing robust safety protocols is essential for small-scale facilities to protect employees from life-altering injuries caused by moving equipment and pinch points.
About 77% of related real accidents concentrate in these types.
Key prevention
- Enforce strict lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures to ensure all machinery is fully de-energized before maintenance or cleaning begins.
- Install and regularly inspect physical guards and interlock systems to prevent accidental contact with rotating parts, belts, and gears.
- Maintain clear floor markings and physical barriers to separate pedestrian walkways from automated conveyor systems and mobile equipment.
- Provide comprehensive training that emphasizes the dangers of loose clothing, jewelry, or long hair near active processing lines.
- Establish a culture of reporting near-misses to identify and address potential pinch points before an actual injury occurs.
Related accident cases
A worker died when a trench collapsed during work. The incident was caused by a collapse hazard encountered during the task.
During machinery repair, a glove became caught in a rotating bolt, resulting in a fracture of the right middle finger.
An employee was caught between two rotating parts while performing maintenance on machinery. The incident resulted in an injury and a downtime of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes for the equipment.
An employee sustained an injury when they became caught in a food mixer while performing mixing and blending tasks in the kitchen.