Pinch Points and Hand Injury Prevention

Our hands are essential for nearly every task we perform, making them highly vulnerable to workplace injuries. In the United States, hand injuries are the second most common workplace injury, with crushed-by incidents being a major cause. One of the primary hazards leading to these injuries is pinch points.

What Are Pinch Points?

A pinch point is any location where a body part can get caught between a moving object and a stationary surface. These hazards are present in many workplace activities, such as:

Equipment maintenance
Lifting and handling materials
Assembly line work
Attaching trailers

How to Prevent Pinch Point Injuries

Use Proper Safeguards

Ensure machine guards are in place to eliminate exposure to pinch points.
Lock out and tag out (LOTO) equipment before maintenance to prevent unexpected movement.
Secure or block machinery parts to prevent stored energy from being released.

Maintain Awareness

Always be aware of where your hands are when working near moving parts.
Avoid placing your hands in blind spots where you cannot see them.
Stay out of the line of fire when working near equipment or heavy objects.

Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wear the appropriate gloves for the task to reduce the severity of potential injuries.
Ensuring gloves fit properly ill-fitting gloves can create additional hazards.

Communicate with Co-Workers

Signal intentions before moving equipment or materials.
Confirm that everyone is clear of danger zones before starting machinery.

Key Takeaway: Stay Vigilant to Prevent Hand Injuries

Pinch point injuries don’t always come from obvious hazards like conveyor belts or large machinery—even closing a truck door carelessly can cause serious harm. Avoid complacency, remain mindful of where your hands are, and take proactive steps to prevent injuries. A moment of awareness can prevent a lifetime of consequences.

Pinch Points and Hand Injury Prevention