When working around moving equipment not only is it important to ensure you're not wearing loose clothing, but also check your hair. As this recent news story from a Philadelphia area manufacturer of corrugated displays shows, pulling your hair back in a pony tail isn't sufficient to protect yourself. If you have long hair ensure you have it restrained against your head or tucked under a hat.

September 1, 2009

A 23-year-old Philadelphia man died in an industrial accident at a packaging plant in Montgomery Township on Friday, police said. Officials said Monday that the man who was killed Friday after being trapped in a box forming machine at a plant in Montgomery Township died from a broken neck.

The employee died when his hair became caught in the machine, said police. He was reportedly dead when authorities arrived at the Mid-Atlantic Packaging's facility on the 100 block of Commerce Drive about 4:50 p.m.

Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Walter Hofman said he had long hair that was pulled back into a pony tail.

"He broke his neck. It's a tragic industrial accident," he said.