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. A nip point is a type of pinch point involving rotating objects, such as gears and pulleys. Injuries can range from minor such as blisters to severe like amputations and fatalities. Examples of pinch point hazards include gaps in closing doors and objects swinging or being lowered near fixed objects.
