September 24, 2025
Every workplace has its share of “close calls,” the kind of stories that make the safety manager sigh and everyone else swear they’ll “be more careful next time.” But when someone actually gets caught between equipment, it’s not a close call; it’s a crisis.
These incidents escalate in seconds, and those seconds matter. A machine doesn’t care about hesitation, panic, or wishful thinking. In that moment, your response is the difference between life-altering injury and survival.
This isn’t meant to scare you. It’s meant to prepare you. Because if your heart starts racing when you hear the words “caught in the machine,” that’s normal. What matters is what happens next.
So let’s walk through it, step by step, so that if the unthinkable happens, you’ll know exactly how to act.
The very first priority is stopping the source of harm. If the equipment is still running and you can safely shut it down, do it immediately. Power controls, kill switches, or emergency stops exist for a reason; this is their moment.
But here’s the keyword: safe. Never put yourself at risk by diving into moving machinery. If accessing the controls puts you in danger, skip this step and focus on calling for help. The last thing anyone needs is two people trapped instead of one.
In high-stress situations, there’s a natural instinct to “fix it yourself.” But when someone is trapped, professional responders with specialized equipment are the only real solution. Call emergency services immediately.
Be specific when you speak to dispatch. Say clearly that a person is caught in machinery, describe the equipment if you can, and provide your exact location. This information helps responders bring the right tools as quickly as possible.
If multiple people are on site, assign someone the sole responsibility of making that call and staying on the line. Clear delegation prevents the dangerous “I thought someone else called” mistake.
This is where instinct can betray you. Your first reaction might be to pull or yank the person free, but unless you are certain it is safe to do so, resist the urge.
Why? Because machinery can lock, twist, or create crushing force. Pulling the person could worsen injuries or create new ones. In some cases, the equipment may need to be dismantled by professionals before the person can be safely freed.
The rule is simple: if removal is easy and safe, proceed. If not, focus on stabilizing the injured person until help arrives.
If you can safely reach the injured person, check for bleeding. Severe bleeding is one of the most immediate life threats. Apply firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth, bandage, or your hands if necessary.
If bleeding is not accessible because of the entrapment, don’t risk reaching into the machinery. Focus instead on keeping the person calm and monitoring for signs of shock.
And remember: never loosen or remove any makeshift bandages once applied. If blood soaks through, add another layer on top.
Being trapped is terrifying. The injured person may be in shock, panicking, or even unable to speak. Your role here is to keep them as calm and stable as possible.
In moments like this, your presence can mean as much as your actions. Fear spreads quickly, but so does calm.
Emergencies are messy. Here are the missteps that cost time and increase risk:
Knowing these pitfalls ahead of time helps you avoid them when adrenaline is high.
As critical as it is to respond well, the ultimate goal is prevention. Incidents where someone gets caught between equipment are often the result of two factors: human error and lack of proper safeguards.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), caught-in or between incidents consistently rank among the leading causes of workplace fatalities. Most of these incidents could have been prevented with proper training and equipment safeguards.
When machinery is involved, seconds really do make the difference. Our Caught in Between and Struck By Hazards course breaks down how these accidents happen, how to prevent them, and how to respond without making things worse. It’s not about memorizing rules, it’s about building the kind of calm confidence you’ll need when time seems to stop.
You need to be calm, clear-headed, and confident in the steps you take. Shut off the machine if it’s safe, call for help without delay, stabilize the person, and avoid reckless actions that could make things worse.
Emergencies demand courage, but courage without calm is just chaos. The best way to build calm into your response is through training. When you’ve rehearsed what to do, your instincts shift from panic to purpose.
Because in those moments when seconds feel like hours, the right actions save lives.
