Machine operators in California may know about pinch points, and hopefully their employers are ensuring their safety from these hazards. Pinch points refer to any place on a machine where a worker is liable to have a part of the body caught. This can be the area between two moving parts, between moving and stationary parts or between a machine part and a given material.
Pinch points can be found in assembling machines, machines for molding plastic or forming metal, printing presses, powered presses and powered rollers. They are additionally present in powered doors, covers and hatches. Pinch points can be introduced when robots are in operation.
The first thing that employers must do is inspect all equipment for pinch-point hazards and eliminate whatever dangers they can. Those hazards that are unavoidable should be guarded against. This means installing machine guards to prevent workers from reaching into or around the pinch point.
Employees must be told about the significance of machine guards. Employers should ensure that their employees never tamper with the guards. A trained and qualified individual could be designated to handle any repairs or alterations that the machine guards need. Employers should try to build up a safety-minded culture where workers are encouraged to report any unguarded pinch points as well as other safety hazards.
Under workers’ compensation law, those who are injured on the job may be reimbursed for their losses. This means they could receive wage replacement, compensation for all medical expenses and short- or long-term disability benefits. Though they do not need to prove that they were the victims of negligence, they may have payment denied if they themselves were at fault. With a lawyer, victims might find that the filing process becomes smoother. The lawyer may help them file any appeals, too.
