User:Mhuffman613/Pinch point hazard

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 toward another, crushing or shearing whatever comes between them. Examples include gaps in closing doors and objects swinging or being lowered near fixed objects. Injuries can be minor such as blisters or severe such as amputations and can be fatal. A nip point is a type of pinch point involving rotating objects, such as gears and pulleys.

Common causes of injuries
Pinch point incidents commonly occur due to:
 * Poor situational awareness
 * Proximity to mobile equipment and fixed structures
 * Loose clothing, hair or jewelry getting caught in rotating parts or equipment
 * Inadequate safety barriers
 * 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 physically prevent objects from entering the pinch point.


 * Barriers and machine guards
 * Safety switches
 * Safety sensors

Administrative controls inform worker behavior to avoid pinch points.


 * Area demarcation
 * Use of appropriate training, work procedures, instructions, and operating manuals
 * Situational awareness
 * Lockout–tagout

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