Construction workers are no strangers to the risks associated with their profession.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nearly 20% of the 5,190 fatal work injuries that occurred in the U.S. in 2021 occurred in construction – second to only transportation and materials handling.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) dubbed the four leading causes of construction deaths – falls, struck-by, caught-in or between, and electrocution – as the “Fatal Four” in recognition of the dangers construction workers face daily.
Pinch points and kickbacks are two of the most prominent dangers that construction workers face. Even when not fatal, the consequences of these hazards can be cuts, lacerations, and other injuries that have long-lasting, even lifelong consequences.
According to Industrial Safety and Hygiene News (ISHN), approximately 30% of all workplace injuries involve cuts and lacerations and 70% of those injuries are to the hands and fingers.
OSHA defines a pinch point as “any point other than the point of operation at which it is possible for a part of the body to be caught between the moving parts of a press or auxiliary equipment, or between moving and stationary parts of a press or auxiliary equipment or between the material and moving part or parts of the press or auxiliary equipment.”
Simply put, pinch points are areas where a body part can get caught between moving or stationary objects or machinery, during activities such as sawing or drilling.
Kickbacks occur when a saw or drill fails to fully clear the material it encounters and “kicks back” at the operator. Kickbacks can send your hand or fingers into the path of the saw blade or drill bit or send the material you’re cutting back at you or those around you.
One of the best ways to prevent pinch points and kickbacks is to wear the proper protective equipment, including safety glasses or goggles, and gloves.
The ISHN found that common workplace gloves can reduce cuts and lacerations by up to 70%.
Ensuring that the saw blade you’re using is sharp and properly tightened to the equipment, and is not bent, broken, or warped, and never twisting the blade during cutting activities will also protect you and those around you from injury.
There are additional steps you can take to ensure safe concrete cutting on your jobsite:
- Obtain knowledge from on-site personnel, client, etc. on construction of the concrete slab(s) you will cut or core
- Hire a professional concrete scanning company that practices Subsurface Investigation Methodology (SIM)
- Review any available structural drawings or records of the site
- Walk the site to locate visual indications of subsurface obstructions prior to breaking ground
When proper precautions are not taken to mitigate the risks of pinch points, kickbacks, and other common hazards, your workers’ safety, your project’s schedule, your budget, and your company’s reputation are all on the line.
Concrete Sawing & Drilling Safety Week
At GPRS, your company’s safety is our primary focus. We know risk mitigation is one of your top priorities, too, which is why, since 2018, we’ve sponsored Concrete Sawing & Drilling Safety Week.
This year, CSDSW runs from January 29-February 2.
During this week, our safety experts travel the country visiting jobsites to offer complimentary presentations about the top risks to your workers and the ways these risks can be mitigated.
We’ll discuss the dangers of silica exposure, the hazards to avoid when sawing, cutting, or drilling concrete, and the importance of having a personal safety plan.
To date, we’ve educated over 20,000 construction professionals through CSDSW. In 2023 alone, over 150 companies proved their dedication to the safety of their workers by hosting CSDSW talks at their offices or jobsites.
There’s still time to sign your team up for their free CSDSW presentation. Click the link below to schedule your presentation today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pinch point?
Simply put, a pinch point is anywhere two objects meet where a body part can get caught. In construction, one of the most common pinch points is where the rotating blade of a piece of cutting equipment meets its housing.
How do you avoid pinch points?
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself when operating cutting equipment on the jobsite. This includes keeping your hands, fingers, and other body parts away from any moving components of the machinery, reading any warning labels on the equipment, and wearing proper protective equipment, such as gloves.
What is kickback?
Kickback occurs when a saw fails to cut through the material it encounters and “kicks back” at the operator. Kickback can send your hand or fingers into the path of the saw blade or send the material you’re cutting at you or those around you.
How do you prevent kickbacks?
One of the best ways to prevent kickbacks is ensuring that the saw blade you’re using is sharp and is not bent, broken, or warped. Never twist the blade while cutting, and always wear proper protective equipment while operating a saw.