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 towards each other, crushing or shearing whatever comes between them.^[1] A nip point is a type of pinch point involving rotating objects, such as gears and pulleys.^[2] Injuries can range from minor such as blisters to severe like amputations and fatalities.^[3] Examples of pinch point hazards include gaps in closing doors and objects swinging or being lowered near fixed objects.^[4]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

• Poor situational awareness^[1]
• Proximity to mobile equipment and fixed structures^[1]
• Loose clothing, hair or jewelry getting caught in rotating parts or equipment^[1]
• Inadequate safety barriers^[1]
• Handling errors^[1]
• Wrong work procedures or tools^[1]
• Reaching into moving equipment^[1]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

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.^[1]

Engineering controls physically prevent objects from entering the pinch point.

• Barriers and machine guards^[1]

Administrative controls inform worker behavior to avoid pinch points.

• Area demarcation ^[1]
• Lockout–tagout^[1]
• Situational awareness^[1]
• Use of appropriate training,^[2] work procedures, instructions, and operating manuals^[1]

Personal protective equipment protects individuals exposed to the hazard by preventing objects from being pinched.^[1]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)

.

• Hazard – Situation or object that can cause harm
• Mechanical hazard- Hazard with a mechanical energy source
• Occupational hazard – Hazard experienced in the workplace
• Physical hazard – Hazard due to a physical agent