Pinch Points

How do we protect ourselves and our fellow workers from pinch points?

Pinch points are those situations where machines, hand tools, and conditions put our hands, feet, and sometimes our entire body in danger. An injury can come from something as small as a pair of pliers, or as large as a crane. Most tools have, or can cause pinch points. It might surprise you to know that hand injuries alone account for one third of the millions of disabling on-the-job accidents occurring each year. Most of these hand injuries are caused by pinch points – 80% of them in fact.

So how do we protect ourselves and our fellow workers from pinch points? There are three major things we can do – they are awareness, physical barriers, and personal protective equipment.

Awareness

All around us are things and activities that can cause us to be injured by pinch points, but if you are constantly alert you can protect yourself from injuries. Awareness comes in two forms, a common sense alertness of the right thing to do, and training in the correct way to do things and use equipment.

Physical Barriers

Physical barriers might be anything from the machine guard on your table saw to barricades or warning devices from a running engine. Physical barriers are there to protect you from injury, not prohibit your activity. Guards are important to protect you from direct contact with moving parts, flying chips, kickbacks, and splashing of metal or harmful liquids.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Respecting and using physical barriers and being aware of your surroundings are only half of what you need to do to be safe. Make sure you are always wearing your safety gear and inspect it before each use. Although the last line of defense against a pinch point injury, PPE (proper gloves, footwear) is a necessity to ensure others notice your position and your extremities are protected.