Caught-In or -Between Hazards (Focus Four) Toolbox Talk
Caught-in or caught-between hazards (trench cave-ins, unguarded machinery, and being pinned between equipment and a fixed object) are one of OSHA's Focus Four killers. Guards, lockout, and standing clear save lives.
Key points
- Never enter an unprotected trench 5 ft or deeper (sloping, shoring, or shielding required)
- Keep machine guards in place and lock out energy before servicing
- Stay clear of pinch points between equipment and fixed objects or walls
- Don't wear loose clothing, jewelry, or gloves near rotating parts
- Use a spotter and keep clear of equipment travel paths
Hazards to discuss
- Trench and excavation cave-ins
- Caught in unguarded rotating or moving machinery
- Pinned between equipment and a wall, vehicle, or material
- Entanglement in rotating shafts, augers, or rebar
Safety precautions
- Follow the trench protective system specified by the competent person
- Apply lockout/tagout before clearing jams or servicing
- Position yourself out of pinch points and travel paths
- Secure loads and materials so they can't shift and pin you
Discussion questions
- Where are the pinch points and crush zones on this task?
- Has energy been locked out before we service this equipment?
- Is the trench properly protected before anyone enters?
Summary
Caught-in/between kills fast and silently. Never enter an unprotected trench, lock out before servicing, keep guards on, and never put your body in a pinch point or crush zone.
The rule behind this talk
Trench protective systems (29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1)), tool guards (29 CFR 1926.300(b)(1)), and lockout of circuits before work (29 CFR 1926.417).
Construction safety hubQuestions about this talk
Which OSHA rule does the Caught-In or -Between Hazards (Focus Four) toolbox talk follow?
Trench protective systems (29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1)), tool guards (29 CFR 1926.300(b)(1)), and lockout of circuits before work (29 CFR 1926.417).
Does OSHA require toolbox talks?
No rule requires a talk by that name. Construction employers must instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions (29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)), and many standards carry their own training duty; a toolbox talk is a common way to deliver part of it.
Do we need a sign-in sheet for a toolbox talk?
No general OSHA rule requires attendance records for a toolbox talk. Some standards require written certification of training, such as fall protection (29 CFR 1926.503(b)(1)) and forklift operators (29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6)). A signed sheet is still the simplest proof that the talk happened.
Get the Binder in Order Before the Inspector Arrives. Are You Ready?
OSHA does not give advance notice of inspections (29 CFR 1903.6). Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.
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