• Getting crushed simply happens to you; you cannot help it in any way;
• It always happens when you're distracted;
• A crush injury is always your own fault.

Research has shown that there are six types of accidents that occur most frequently. We call these the BIG SIX. We'd like to focus on these BIG SIX to reduce these types of accidents or, better still, to prevent them.  
The BIG SIX are made up of the following: 

1. Tripping
2. Falling
3. Falling objects
4. Bumping into protruding objects
5. Getting crushed
6. Getting hit by flying debris

In this toolbox, we'll take a closer look at number five on the list: crush injuries. Accidents that involve getting crushed are a frequent occurrence. The parts of the body that are injured most often during these accidents are the legs, feet, fingers, hands, torso, etc.
The types of injury include:

• Bruising;
• Fractures;
• Cuts.

Accidents that involve you getting crushed or trapped are fairly common. For example, you might get crushed between:

• Two or more machines or parts of a composite machine (such as a truck and trailer);
• A fixed object (such as a wall or door) and a moving machine;
• Objects that are transported by machines or vehicles.

Crush injuries can be caused by several different things:

• Items rolling/sliding off;
• Moving vehicles (foot getting crushed under the wheel);
• Items falling over;
• Turning/moving machine parts;
• Collapsing embankment;
• Swinging crane load;
• While lifting items and putting them down (tiles, crates, etc);
• While fastening/guiding and positioning lifted loads;
• While loading and unloading;
• Hitting a finger with a hammer;
• Sliding doors, tailgates, etc;
• While handling loads.

Severity of the accident

Fingers are the body part that is most commonly injured during these accidents. The types of injuries include:

• Fractures;
• Cuts;
• Bruising.

Brainstorming session

Your own experience:

• Have you ever experienced a crushing injury or a near miss? How did this happen?
• What did you learn from that incident? How could it have been prevented?
• What has changed to prevent any repeats?

• Keep the workplace tidy
• Make sure there is adequate lighting
• Cover any moving parts
• Supplier safety measures must never be circumvented
• Only use the correct hoisting equipment that is agreed in advance, and make sure it has been inspected
• Maintain sufficient distance from moving parts
• Keep the turning circle of cranes/machines free
• Secure items against falling/rolling
• Apply the 'If I can see you, you can see me' rule when approaching moving equipment
• Use suitable tools (guide ropes, forklift truck, hand truck)
• Do not stack items too high
• Make sure any embankments are safe in line with CROW 335 or use a retaining structure
• Wear the correct PPE.

• Which unsafe situations have you seen at work that could cause crushing injuries?

• How can these be improved?

What agreements should we make to improve these situations?