Dashpivot Article – What Are Pinch Points?

What are Pinch Points?

This is a commonly asked question because they are a workplace hazard which can be overlooked compared to other more visible dangers. Pinch points are areas where there is a risk of injury for workers from being caught or compressed between moving and stationary parts. These risks are particularly high in sectors where the interaction between humans and heavy equipment is frequent. Examples of work activities with inherent pinch points hazards include include construction, machinery operation, and infrastructure development.

Understanding what pinch points are is essential for preventing workplace accidents. These hazards can occur anywhere machinery moves, doors close, or materials are handled, posing a significant risk of crushing or amputation injuries. Identifying these areas requires vigilance and a thorough understanding of both the equipment in use and the work processes.

Protecting workers from pinch points involves recognising the potential for harm and implementing comprehensive safety measures, including training, the use of protective equipment, and the development of safer work practices. By proactively managing these risks, it is possible to create a safer working environment and minimise the occurrence of pinch point-related injuries.

Common Sources of Pinch Points in the Workplace

Now that you know what pinch points are, you will also need to know about common sources of pinch points in order to manage the related risks and dangers:

Machinery with Moving Parts and Tools

Machinery such as conveyors, gears, rollers, presses, and even smaller tools like drills and cutting equipment, are primary sources of pinch points. These items, due to their moving parts and the necessity for close operation, present significant risks for injuries.

Material Handling and Storage

This encompasses both the equipment used for moving materials, such as forklifts and pallet jacks, and activities related to handling and storing materials. The risk is particularly high during loading and unloading operations or when maneuvering heavy materials in tight spaces, leading to situations where workers might get caught between objects.

Vehicles and Mobile Equipment

Interactions between moving vehicles, including mobile equipment, and pedestrians within the workplace can create dangerous pinch points. This is especially true when individuals may find themselves caught between a vehicle and a stationary object or two moving vehicles.

Doors and Gates

Automated or manual doors and gates, particularly in areas of confined space, pose a risk for pinch points. There is a material risk of workers getting their limbs caught between the moving parts of doors and frames.

Loading Docks

The space between a truck and the loading dock, as well as the area around pallets and dock edges, is a common site for pinch points. During loading and unloading operations workers can be caught or compressed between moving and stationary objects.

Storage Racks and Shelves

Areas where goods are stored pose risks for pinch points, especially during the placement or retrieval of items. Insecure positioning and poor maneuverability may lead to workers getting caught between goods or between goods and storage structures.

Maintenance and Repair Activities

Maintenance or repair work on equipment and machinery often exposes workers to pinch points, particularly in parts of the machinery that are not typically accessed during regular operation. These parts may move inadvertently and entrap workers between them.

Strategies for Mitigating Pinch Points

Pinch points are often inherent hazards across a variety of workplaces and industries. In many instances, it may not be possible to completely eliminate them as a hazard. However, there are many effective strategies to reduce the risk of pinch point related safety incidents:

Conduct Regular Risk Assessments

Conducting regular risk assessments is a proactive approach to identifying and addressing pinch points. These assessments should focus on all areas where machinery, equipment, and personnel interact, ensuring that potential hazards are identified early.

By systematically evaluating the workplace, organizations can prioritize safety improvements, including machinery adjustments, workspace redesign, or the introduction of new safety protocols. This process is crucial in environments where the interaction between workers and large-scale equipment is constant, aiming to preemptively reduce the risk of accidents.

Implement Engineering Controls

Engineering controls play a pivotal role in mitigating pinch point risks. This strategy involves modifying equipment or the work environment to design out hazards. For example, installing guards or barriers around moving parts can physically prevent access to dangerous areas.

Similarly, using remote control technology to operate equipment from a safe distance minimises direct interaction with machinery, significantly reducing the likelihood of pinch point incidents. These solutions are particularly relevant to workplaces where the use of heavy machinery routine. They ensure that the integration of safety features is built into the operational framework.

Machine Guarding

This is a very common engineering control for pinch points. Installing physical barriers or guards around moving parts of machinery is a direct method to prevent access to pinch points. These guards should be designed to be tamper-proof and should not impede the operation of the machinery while providing maximum protection. Regular inspections should ensure these guards remain in place and in good condition.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Ensuring that all employees are equipped with the appropriate personal protective equipment is another critical strategy. PPE such as gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots can provide an additional layer of defense against pinch point injuries. It’s important that the PPE is not only provided but also that employees are trained on its proper use and the specific scenarios in which it is necessary.

Safety Training and Awareness Programs

Educating workers about the dangers of pinch points and how to avoid them is essential. Safety training programs should cover the identification of pinch points, the proper use of equipment, and the importance of wearing PPE.

Regularly scheduled training ensures that all employees, especially those new to the environment or operating new machinery, are aware of the best practices for safety. This educational approach is vital in sectors that rely on complex machinery and equipment, where understanding the nuances of operational safety can significantly impact risk levels.

Hold a Toolbox Talk on Pinch Points

Toolbox talks are a key strategy for directly engaging with workers about specific safety concerns, such as pinch points. To hold an effective toolbox, select a relevant work activity or area that has inherent pinch point hazards and focus on identifying, understanding, and avoiding pinch points in this context.

Gather your team in a location free from distractions, preferably at the start of a shift or before undertaking a specific task where pinch points are a risk. Begin the discussion by outlining what pinch points are, where they commonly occur in your operations, and share examples of recent incidents or near misses.

Encourage participation by asking team members to share their experiences or concerns and to suggest safety improvements. Emphasise the importance of vigilance, proper equipment handling, and adherence to safety protocols.

Conclude by summarising key points and reminding everyone of the resources available for further information or support. This approach not only raises awareness but also reinforces a collective responsibility towards safety in the workplace.

You should ensure that you document all pinch point related safety strategies. As workplaces and work activities evolve, you will have to review your strategies. Revising a previous document about pinch points is much more efficient than starting from scratch. Documentation provides evidence of implemented safety measures in the event of a pinch points safety incident.

Below is an example of a toolbox talk that has been completed using a specialised toolbox talk form:

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Toolbox Talk Pinch Points Template Side 1

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Use customisable toolbox talk forms to educate your team on pinch points

Pinch points are a recurring hazards across many different industries and workplaces. Toolbox talks are an effective means of educating workers on potential pinch points in their day-to-day work activities. Toolbox talks are most effective when they can be recorded and revised in the future to reflect any changes in the workplace.

Consider using this toolbox talk pinch points template for your next toolbox talk. It has been pre-built with all the fields required for an effective meeting. You can easily convey the dangers of pinch points, existing hazards, and controls to your team. You can also record any issues raised by team members, collect signatures for attendance, and assign action items.