A pinch point or pinch point hazard is a common class of mechanical hazard where injury or damage may be done by one or more objects moving towards each other, crushing or shearing whatever comes between them. ^[1] A nip point is a type of pinch point involving rotating objects, such as gears and pulleys. ^[2] Injuries can range from minor such as blisters to severe like amputations and fatalities. ^[3] Examples of pinch point hazards include gaps in closing doors and objects swinging or being lowered near fixed objects. ^[4]

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Common causes of injuries

• Poor situational awareness ^[1]
• Proximity to mobile equipment and fixed structures ^[1]
• Loose clothing, hair or jewelry getting caught in rotating parts or equipment ^[1]
• Inadequate safety barriers ^[1]
• Handling errors ^[1]
• Wrong work procedures or tools ^[1]
• Reaching into moving equipment ^[1]

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Safety controls

Pre-work hazard inspections can be performed to identify pinch point hazards. These hazards can be managed with control methods, listed below according to the hazard control hierarchy. ^[1]

Engineering controls physically prevent objects from entering the pinch point.

• Barriers and machine guards ^[1]

Administrative controls inform worker behavior to avoid pinch points.

• Area demarcation ^[1]
• Lockout–tagout ^[1]
• Situational awareness ^[1]
• Use of appropriate training, ^[2] work procedures, instructions, and operating manuals ^[1]

Personal protective equipment protects individuals exposed to the hazard by preventing objects from being pinched. ^[1]

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See also

• Hazard – Situation or object that can cause damage
• Mechanical hazard- Hazard with a mechanical energy source
• Occupational hazard – Hazard experienced in the workplace
• Physical hazard – Hazard due to a physical agent

References