Machine entanglement accidents happen when machinery has moving parts and a worker is pulled into those moving parts, most often when loose clothing or hair gets caught. Caught in/between accidents are some of the most serious accidents that happen in the workplace and can result in lacerations, severed fingers, amputations, crushed limbs, and scalping and de-gloving injuries. In severe cases, machine accidents may be fatal.
Any moving machinery presents a risk to the workers who operate it or work nearby. However, injuries from machine entanglement accidents are unnecessary and preventable. Employers must do everything in their power to ensure that safeguards for workers are in place and risks are eliminated.
Moving parts of machinery can be categorized into specific places where workers are most at risk. They are pinch points, crush points, and wrap points.
To protect workers from the danger of entanglement and prevent contact, safeguards must be fitted to these points on the machinery. The guards should fit properly and be free of sharp edges that could cause lacerations. If possible, the safeguard should not be easily removable to prevent tampering.
The best safeguarding system will be rendered ineffective if workers are not thoroughly trained in how to use it and why. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines state that workers should receive specific and detailed training that includes the following:
Whenever any new safeguards are installed, new machinery is acquired, or workers are assigned to a new task with unfamiliar machinery, this training should be repeated.
Additional safety measures that should be in place include:
Injuries from machine entanglement can be serious and life-threatening requiring long hospital stays and expensive rehabilitation afterward. Workers who have suffered injuries in a work-related machine entanglement accident are advised to seek the counsel of a qualified Philadelphia work accident lawyer to ensure they receive all the Workers’ Compensation benefits available to them. Workers may be entitled to wage loss benefits and benefits for medical care including hospital treatment, prescription medications, and prostheses. Families who have lost a loved one may be eligible for death benefits.
The skilled and experienced Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyers of Gross & Kenny, LLP provide injured workers with knowledgeable legal representation so that they can focus on their recovery. Call 267-589-0090 or 215-512-1500 today to schedule a free consultation in our Center City Philadelphia offices. You can also complete our online contact form.