Are men permitted to work between equipment and the highwall?

• A. Yes
• B. No, except for precautions taken
• C. Only with a harness
• D. Only during daylight

Answer: (B)

Working between equipment and the highwall is a high crush and pinning hazard. If a worker is there while equipment could move or the highwall shifts, they risk being struck, crushed, or buried. Because of that danger, people are not allowed to be in that space during normal operations. The correct choice reflects that it’s not permitted unless specific safety precautions are in place to prevent any movement or collapse—such as isolating and securing the equipment (lockout/tagout or brakes), ensuring clear communication and visibility (often with a spotter), and establishing barriers or other controls to keep the worker out of harm’s way. Without those safeguards, entering that zone is unsafe.

The other options don’t address the real hazard. Being allowed only with a harness doesn’t mitigate the risk of being crushed by moving equipment or a falling highwall. Requiring daylight does not change the physics of the hazard. And saying it’s permitted generally (yes) ignores the standard safety restriction designed to prevent serious injury.