After a pinning or compression incident, the most important actions aren’t complicated—they’re time-sensitive.
1) Get medical care immediately (and keep going). Compression injuries can worsen after the fact. Follow your provider’s instructions and attend follow-ups. Consistent treatment records matter when insurers question severity.
2) Document the scene if you can do so safely. If you’re able, note what equipment was involved, what part of the workflow you were performing, and any safety barriers, guards, or lockout/tagout steps that were supposed to be in place.
3) Preserve incident paperwork. Ask for the employer’s incident report number and keep copies of any forms you receive—especially work restrictions, return-to-work notes, and communications about modified duty.
4) Be careful with recorded statements. If someone from an employer’s safety team or an insurer requests a statement, it’s smart to pause. Early statements can unintentionally limit how your injuries and restrictions are described later.


