Pinch Point Hazards

Date: 2025-12-09

Duration: [DURATION] minutes

Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME]

Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

To understand and mitigate pinch point hazards associated with machinery and equipment to prevent injuries.

Introduction

Pinch points are dangerous areas in machinery and equipment where body parts can be caught between moving parts or between a moving and stationary part. Awareness and proper safety measures are crucial to prevent serious injuries such as crushing, amputation, or even death.

Key Points

• Identify Pinch Points: Recognize and understand where pinch points exist on machinery and equipment. [1]
• Never Remove Guards: Guards are in place to protect you from moving parts. Never operate machinery with missing or damaged guards. [5]
• Lockout/Tagout: Always follow proper lockout/tagout procedures before servicing or maintaining equipment. [5]
• Stay Alert: Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid distractions while working with machinery.

Hazard Identification

Identifying pinch points is the first step in preventing accidents. A pinch point is any location where a body part can be caught between moving parts of equipment or between moving and stationary parts.

• Moving machine parts creating pinch points: Crushing injuries, amputations, severe lacerations [3]
• Unguarded rollers and wheels on conveyors: Fingers or hands caught and crushed [5]
• Rotating superstructure of cranes: Worker crushed between the rotating part and a stationary object [6]
• Folding or moving parts of platforms and lifts: Hands or fingers pinched during operation [4]

Control Measures

• Install and maintain machine guards: Ensure all moving parts are properly guarded to prevent access during operation. Regularly inspect guards for damage and proper function. [3]
• Implement Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures: Always de-energize and lock out equipment before performing maintenance or clearing jams. Verify energy isolation before starting work.
• Ensure motor start buttons are protected: Motor start buttons on machines with exposed pinch points must be physically protected against unintended operation. [2]
• Use constant pressure controls on pressure hoses: Hand-held pressure hoses and nozzles must have constant pressure control to prevent injury if the hose is dropped. [2]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

• Gloves: Wear appropriate gloves to protect hands from cuts, abrasions, and contact with machine parts. Ensure gloves fit properly and do not interfere with dexterity.
• Safety Glasses: Always wear safety glasses or face shields to protect eyes from flying debris or particles.
• Steel-toed boots: Protect feet from crushing injuries due to falling objects or accidental contact with machinery.

Real-World Example or Case Study

A worker attempted to clear a jam in a conveyor without locking it out. Their hand was caught in a pinch point, resulting in a severe crushing injury. This highlights the importance of LOTO procedures.

Emergency Procedures

1. Immediately stop the machine if an accident occurs.
2. Provide first aid and seek medical attention for the injured person.
3. Report the incident to the supervisor and safety department.

Questions and Answers

• Q: What should I do if I see a missing guard?

A: Report it immediately to your supervisor and do not operate the equipment until the guard is replaced.

• Q: Can I wear gloves when operating machinery?

A: Yes, but ensure the gloves fit properly and do not pose a catch hazard.

Summary

Recap of main points:

• Pinch points are hazardous areas that can cause serious injuries.
• Always use machine guards and safety devices.
• Follow lockout/tagout procedures before maintenance.
• Wear appropriate PPE and stay alert.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.

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