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. A nip point is a type of pinch point involving rotating objects, such as gears and pulleys. Injuries can range from minor such as blisters to severe like amputations and fatalities. Examples of pinch point hazards include gaps in closing doors and objects swinging or being lowered near fixed objects.

Common causes of injuries

*Poor situational awareness *Proximity to mobile equipment and fixed structures *Loose clothing, hair or jewelry getting caught in rotating parts or equipment *Inadequate

safety barrier A safety barrier is a component which prevents passage into a dangerous area, and is commonly used to mitigate risk. Description A safety barrier is a component which prevents passage into a dangerous area. It is commonly used to mitigate risk ...

s *Handling errors *Wrong work procedures or tools *Reaching into moving equipment

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.

Engineering controls Engineering is the practice of using natural science, mathematics, and the engineering design process to solve problems within technology, increase efficiency and productivity, and improve systems. Modern engineering comprises many subfi ...

physically prevent objects from entering the pinch point. * Barriers and machine guards

Administrative controls Administrative controls are training, procedure, policy, or shift designs that lessen the threat of a hazard to an individual. Administrative controls typically change the behavior of people (e.g., factory workers) rather than removing the act ...

inform worker behavior to avoid pinch points. *Area demarcation * Lockout–tagout *

Situational awareness Situational awareness or situation awareness, often abbreviated as SA is the understanding of an environment, its elements, and how it changes with respect to time or other factors. It is also defined as the perception of the elements in the envi ...

*Use of appropriate training, work procedures, instructions, and operating manuals

Personal protective equipment Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, elect ...

protects individuals exposed to the hazard by preventing objects from being pinched..

References

{{Reflist Technology hazards

Common causes of injuries

Safety controls

See also

References