Winch Cable Injuries

Winch cable-related injuries range from finger injuries to amputations of part or all of the arm. Injuries occur when winches malfunction or operators slip or divert their attention away from the winch.

Cause of Injury

• Winch-related injuries are most commonly caused by entanglement. Workers get their hands or arms caught up in the cable as it is winding and are unable to reach the stopping mechanism.

Safety Features

• An emergency stop button may be installed on top of the winch to halt rotation quickly to minimize injury if entanglement occurs. This ensures that the operator is in close proximity to the stopping mechanism and is able to activate it if needed.

Prevention

• The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has general guidelines in place regarding safe use of winches. Moving parts must be enclosed. Levers must be inspected regularly and should not be used if excessive friction or too much play is noted. Any part of the winch that is not functioning properly should be addressed immediately and should not be used until the problem is fixed.