16 April, 2024
Reducing trapping and crushing injuries
Causes of entrapment
The following tasks/actions are the most common causes of entrapment, when a machine is operated close to an obstruction:
Increasing risk of entrapment
What increases the risk of entrapment? The points listed below may increase risk when operating an AWP close to an obstruction / structure:
Avoiding accidents
What can you do to avoid these kinds of accidents? It is crucial to:
Common rescue issues
Once trapped, rescue can often be hampered. This may occur for example when no one knows the person is trapped, the emergency rescue plan was not practised or communicated or there is no key in ground level controls, limiting the ability to use ground level controls in an emergency. Also, the AWP platform might be moved through multiple levels of steel work or complex structures, or familiarity with ground controls and emergency descent controls might be lacking.
Ways to reduce the risk of entrapment
Working close to overhead structures and obstructions should be regarded as an operation with a higher risk. If you are expected to carry out this sort of work, you should ensure that the following issues have been properly addressed and that management have explained the steps taken to minimise entrapment risks in a pre-start briefing. Follow these steps:
Has someone been trapped or crushed? REACT IMMEDIATELY! There are only a few minutes to rescue and resuscitate them. Follow your emergency rescue plan and use every second!