We use out hands for virtually all work tasks that we do. Because of how often we use our hands, they are often in the line of fire where they can be injured. Hand injuries are the second leading type of injury on the job in the United States. Pinch points are a leading cause of both minor and serious injuries to the fingers and hands.
A pinch point is any point at which it is possible for a person or part of a person’s body to be caught between a stationary object and moving object or between moving parts or objects. A pinch point not only can cause injury to a limb or body part, but can cause a person to become trapped or pinched between the two objects. An example of a pinch point that everyone can probably relate to is shutting your finger or hand in a door.
Body parts can become caught between moving parts, moving or stationary machine parts, moving parts and materials, between materials or equipment when moving them, slamming fingers or hands in doors, pinching fingers or hand with equipment that has sliding parts or hinges, machines such as presses and rollers, and tools. Pinch points commonly impact the fingers or hands, but can include any area of the body. Injuries resulting from pinch points can be minor, such as contusions or blisters, or more serious, such as amputation or even death.
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