Conveyors, gears, loaders, compactors and other moving equipment are examples of machinery with pinch points. OSHA cautions that if an employee gets caught in a pinch point body parts may become mangled, crushed or severed.
Pinch point hazards have historically been associated with power presses and large shearing equipment but in reality, a pinch point can be as wide as a doorway or as narrow as the space between the outriggers on a crane. OSHA recommends using machine guarding to help prevent pinch-point injuries. Providing safety training on all your company’s equipment, and then holding employees and supervisors accountable for following safety procedures will go a long way toward protecting employees from the hazard of pinch-points. Encouraging employees to communicate safety concerns and near-misses will also help you avoid accidents before they happen.
Some additional practice controls to help prevent pinch-point injuries include:
• Allow only properly trained employees to operate and maintain equipment
• Inspect machines and guards often
Here are our other articles about avoiding any injuries in the workplace:
Average Cost of Workplace Injuries
Work Related Injuries: Heavy Lifting 101
Top 7 Causes of War Related Injuries