How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 1,489 severe cases involving nonpressurized containers over the last decade. These incidents frequently result in serious harm, with amputations and fractures each accounting for 27% of all reported injury types.
The physical nature of these containers often leads to crushing injuries, particularly to your fingers. You may suffer musculoskeletal damage when these containers are handled improperly or lack necessary safety controls.
How these injuries happen
Injuries involving containers typically occur when objects fall from heights or when you are compressed between equipment and the container itself. Many incidents involve overexertion during manual material handling, where the weight or instability of the container causes you sudden strain or loss of control.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Struck by falling object | 427 |
| 2 | Compressed between running equipment and other object(s) | 279 |
| 3 | Overexertion while materials moving by hand | 236 |
| 4 | Other fall to lower level | 181 |
| 5 | Injured by object handled by person | 35 |
| 6 | Struck by rolling, sliding, or shifting objects—non-running | 33 |
| 7 | Struck by suspended or swinging object | 32 |
| 8 | Overexertion while moving or manipulating external object(s)— unspecified | 32 |
Where injuries happen most
Manufacturing accounts for 29% of all container-related injuries, as high-volume production environments require constant movement of materials. Transportation and warehousing follow, where the frequent loading and unloading of cargo containers creates high-risk zones for crushing and struck-by accidents.
Real cases like yours
Many reported incidents involve your fingers being pinned between containers and cargo doors, or heavy items shifting unexpectedly during transport. These stories often reveal failures in basic safety protocols, such as improper stacking or lack of mechanical assistance. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | NJ | Manufacturing | "An employee was standing on the edge of the dumpster while pulling out cribbage. The employee fell to the ground, sustaining a fractured elbow and hip. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | VA | Transportation & Warehousing | "An employee was manually pulling a container from the aft cargo hold of a wide-body jetliner. Their right little finger got pinned between the container and the edge of the cargo door. The employee's finger was partially amputated." | |
| 2025 | NY | Manufacturing | "An employee was stacking totes on a pallet jack when their right little finger got caught between totes and the fingertip was amputated." | |
| 2025 | FL | Transportation & Warehousing | "An employee was delivering a box to a customer. They assisted the customer with moving the box containing a playground apparatus when the box broke open, causing the employee to lose their grip and strain their lower back." | |
| 2025 | TX | Transportation & Warehousing | "An employee was using a forklift to move flexible intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) that were stacked on a pallet. The employee exited the forklift to tape up a repair on the bottom IBC of the palleted stack on the forks and an IBC on top of the stack slid off and struck the employee in the torso. The employee was hospitalized with fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis, and a punctured lung." | |
| 2025 | NY | Transportation & Warehousing | "An employee was working to move a mechanic's toolbox into an on-site container with the assistance of a forklift. He exited the forklift to move the toolbox off the forks when the toolbox tipped onto its side and fell off the forks, landing on top of him. The employee sustained multiple lacerations and a fractured pelvis." | |
| 2025 | GA | Retail Trade | "An employee was loading a glue drum and pushing the glue drum into the loader while the drum was still elevated on the cart. The employee's hand was caught between the drum and the loader and their fingertip was pinched by the lid of the glue drum, resulting in amputation to the fingertip." | |
| 2025 | NY | Construction | "An employee fell off a 5-gallon bucket and an exposed pipe lacerated his bicep. The employee was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | MA | Construction | "An employee was assisting with loading bags of cellulose into the cellulose trailer. He experienced a sharp pain in his lower back while lifting a bag. His legs went numb and he collapsed, unable to move. The employee was hospitalized with a back injury." | |
| 2025 | IL | Retail Trade | "On July 9, 2025, an employee was emptying trash and lifting a heavy trash bag when he felt a pop and experienced severe pain. The employee was hospitalized with a ruptured hernia and required surgery." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Workers' Compensation is designed to cover your medical expenses and lost wages for work-related injuries, including amputations and fractures caused by containers. Because these injuries often require surgery and extensive physical therapy, ensuring your claim is filed correctly is essential. An attorney can help you document the incident and verify that your benefits are calculated accurately.
Employers are required to maintain a safe work environment, which includes ensuring that materials are stacked, stored, and moved according to safety standards. If a container fell due to improper stacking or a lack of training, your employer may be liable for your resulting injuries. An attorney can investigate whether your employer failed to follow safety protocols and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
If your injury requires surgery, you should prioritize your medical care and ensure that the incident is formally reported to your employer immediately. Keep detailed records of all your medical treatments, doctor visits, and communications regarding your work status. Consulting with an attorney early in the process can help you manage the complexities of a severe injury claim and protect your rights to long-term benefits.
OSHA provides guidelines for material handling and storage to prevent injuries from shifting or falling objects. Employers must ensure that containers are stable and that you are trained in safe lifting and handling techniques. If your employer ignored these safety requirements, an attorney can help you hold them accountable and secure the benefits you are owed.