Caught in Motion: Pinch-Points, Moving Parts and Machinery Safety Picture This

In the image, a worker has leaned dangerously close to an active conveyor belt, placing his hand directly beside an exposed pinch point where rollers and moving parts meet. His body position shows he is already being pulled toward the machine, and another worker is desperately trying to pull him back. No guards, barriers, or lockout/tagout procedures are in place, and loose tools on the ground indicate poor housekeeping. This moment captures a near-fatal caught-in incident caused by approaching moving machinery without proper controls.

Machinery must be fully shut down, locked out, and de-energized before workers perform inspections, clearing, or maintenance tasks near pinch points. Guarding should be installed over rollers, belts, and gears to prevent accidental contact, and workers must maintain safe distances when equipment is running. Training should reinforce recognizing danger zones and avoiding loose clothing or tools around moving parts. These precautions greatly reduce the risk of entanglement, crush injuries, and caught-in motion incidents.