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rapidly that they may not be visible, so it is easy to forget they are operating or to underestimate the hazard.
Because some shear and cutting points cannot be guarded, it is important to be aware of their hazard and stay alert
when they are operating. It is also important to warn others and to look out for their safety. This is especially true
if there is a danger of thrown objects while using cutting-type equipment.
Pinch Points
Pinch points are another hazard of farm machinery (Fig. 2 below). Pinch points (which should be more
appropriately named mangled or maimed points) are formed when two rotating objects move together and
at least one of them moves in a circle. For example, the point at which a belt runs into a pulley is a pinch point.
Belt drives, chain drives, and gear drives are other sources of pinch points in power transmission devices.
Feed rolls, gathering chains and similar equipment designed to draw crops into the machine also create
pinch points.
Fingers, hands and feet can be caught directly in pinch points, or they may be drawn into the pinch points by the
inertia of the moving part or loose clothing that becomes entangled. Contact may be made by falling or brushing
against unshielded parts. You can become entangled in pinch points if you take chances and reach or work near
rotating parts. Machines move too fast to get out of a pinch point once you become caught.
To avoid injury from pinch points, be aware where pinch points occur and avoid them. Wear clothing that fits well
and is not loose or floppy. Never reach over or work near rotating parts. Turn off machinery to work on it.
Always replace shields removed for maintenance.
Wrap Points
Rotating shafts are the most common source of wrap-point accidents, although any exposed machine part that
rotates can be a wrap point. A cuff, sleeve, pant leg, long hair or just a thread can catch a rotating part and result in
serious injury. Entanglement with a wrap point can pull you into the machine, or clothing may become so tightly
wrapped that you are crushed or suffocated. In other cases, you could be thrown off balance and fall into other
machinery parts.
Even a perfectly round shaft can be hazardous if there is enough pressure to hold clothing against the shaft.
Hazards increase with shafts that are not round. Clothing is more likely to catch if there is dried mud or manure
on the shaft, or if the shaft is nicked. Ends of shafts that protrude beyond bearings are also dangerous.
Universal joints, keys and fastening devices can also snag clothing.
Check all equipment for potential wrap points and, if possible, shield those that can be shielded.
Figure 2
