PINCH POINTS
HAZARD RECOGNITION
LOOK OUT FOR PINCH POINTS
Maintenance on equipment
Moving material
Passenger in a man lift basket
Moving cylinders
THIS IS JUST A VERY FEW OF WHAT
CAN GET YOU
PINCH POINTS ARE
EVERYWHERE
Don’t Let This Happen To
You!!!
Pointers on Pinch Points
This safety session should help
employees to:
Recognize pinch point hazards
Know how to prevent pinch point
injuries
BE CAREFUL WHILE MOVING
THE FORKS
Many Workplace Injuries Occur When a
Body Part Gets Caught in a Pinch Point
A pinch point is a place where it’s possible for
a body part to be caught:
Between moving machine parts
Between moving & stationary machine parts
Between moving parts & materials being
processed
Give Even the Smallest Task
Your Fullest Attention
Pinch point injuries from doors, hinges,
container lids, etc. usually occur when your
distracted.
Concentrate on what you’re doing at all
times.
Don’t fool around or daydream at work.
HOOKING UP TRAILERS CAN
GET YOU IF YOU ARE NOT
AWARE.
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A PERSON
GETTING PINCHED WHILE HOISTING A
LOAD?
HOW ABOUT GETTING YOUR
FOOT RUNNED OVER?
Pinch Point Other Situations:
Catching fingers, hands, toes, or feet under or
between heavy crates, equipment or drums
while moving them.
Slamming fingers or hands in a door.
Nipping fingers or hands with hand tools.
OBSERVE AND TAKE THE
TIME TO READ WARNING
SIGNS
DO NOT REMOVE GUARDS
Use Machine and Tool Guards
to Prevent Pinch Point Injuries
On machines & equipment DOSH requires
guards to act as barriers between body parts &
pinch points.
Never remove or disable a machine guard or use a
machine that has a missing or disabled guard.
Never reach around, under, or through a guard.
Report guards that are missing or not working
properly.
TAKE THE TIME TO PLAN SO WHILE
WORKING WITH THE BULKY AND AWKWARD
PARTS ON EQUIPMENT IN TIGHT
CONDITIONS.
Turn Off and Lockout/Tagout
Equipment Before Repairing or
Servicing
A machine that starts up or moves accidentally
can trap a hand or body part in a pinch point.
Turn off the machine.
Lock & tag out the energy controls.
Test jog the system
Perform the needed work
Remove the lock & tag before using the equipment.
AGAIN READ YOUR SAFETY
SIGNS.
IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT
READ AND
OBEY SAFETY
SIGNAGE
Look for Possible Pinch Points
Before Starting Any Task
Check the equipment you’re going to use to see
where a body part could get caught.
Plan the task to prevent pinch point injuries.
Lift, Carry, & Place Containers
& Equipment Carefully
Lift the edge of a heavy item slightly before
picking it up to get an idea of its weight.
An item that’s too heavy or awkward to carry
can slip & trap hands or feet in a pinch point.
Get help or use material handling aids to
move heavy or awkward items.
Conclusion: Machine Guards & Safety
Awareness Can Prevent Pinch Point
Injuries
Keep your fingers, hands, toes, & feet away
from pinch points by using machine guards,
practicing safe moving & carrying techniques,
and all tasks your full attention.
