Summary
In short
- A pinch point survey is an inspection used in KnowSafe that walks a machine or line looking specifically for pinch, nip, shear and crush points. It is built against OSHA 1910.212 and forms part of the Machine Safety programme.
- Run yearly and after any layout change. Carried out by a supervisor with operators.
- The template holds 35 fields across 3 sections, with points found repeating for each entry.
- Scoring is count and risk band, where high is bad.
- OSHA 1910.212 is machine guarding general requirements. The general duty to guard the point of operation and moving parts.
- It connects to the rest of the library: links Asset; feeds CAPA.
What it is
What it is
What is a pinch point survey?
A pinch point survey is an inspection used in KnowSafe that walks a machine or line looking specifically for pinch, nip, shear and crush points. It is built against OSHA 1910.212 and forms part of the Machine Safety programme.
When is a pinch point survey completed?
A pinch point survey is completed on the inspection frequency set in your programme, and again after any change to the asset or area. Run yearly and after any layout change.
When to use it
When to use it, and when not to
This inspection is one step in a larger programme. Using it for work that belongs to a neighbouring template produces records that are hard to report on later.
Use it for
- The event or activity this inspection covers has occurred, or is about to
- A new record is needed; each one gets its own ID in the form INSP-2026-000
- You are running the Machine Safety programme and this is one of its steps
- A linked record needs this one to exist: links asset; feeds capa
Not for
- Machine Risk Assessment, which assesses a machine across its whole life, including setup, running, cleaning, clearing jams and maintenance.
- Guarding Verification Checklist, which confirms that guards fitted to a machine match the risk assessment and cannot be easily defeated.
- Interlock Function Test, which tests that safety interlocks stop the machine when a guard is opened, and cannot be bypassed.
- Anything outside KnowSafe, which belongs in the workspace that owns that process
Standards
What it is built against
OSHA 1910.212Machine guarding general requirements
The general duty to guard the point of operation and moving parts.
OSHAOccupational Safety and Health Administration
The United States workplace safety regulator. Its standards are law where they apply.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the pinch point survey template based on?+
It is built against OSHA 1910.212. OSHA 1910.212 is machine guarding general requirements. The general duty to guard the point of operation and moving parts. OSHA is occupational Safety and Health Administration. The United States workplace safety regulator. Its standards are law where they apply.
What sections does the pinch point survey contain?+
There are 3 sections: header, points found, result. Together they hold 35 fields, 25 of which are required.
How often is a pinch point survey raised?+
A new record is raised on the inspection frequency set in your programme, and again after any change to the asset or area. Each one is given an ID in the form INSP-2026-000, so it can be traced and referenced from other records.
Which programme does the pinch point survey belong to?+
It is part of Machine Safety. Guard integrity verified, interlocks tested, and jam clearing controlled rather than improvised.
How is a pinch point survey scored?+
Scoring is count and risk band. High is bad. Scores exist to make the form tell you something, not to produce a percentage for its own sake.
Can the pinch point survey template be changed?+
Yes. Every field, option, score and conditional rule is editable, and the links to other templates come with it. Most teams install it as it is, run it for a cycle, then adjust.
The agents
What the agents do with it
The form is the easy part. Keeping it current, routing it to the right owner and holding the evidence together is the work that actually slips.
Holds the pinch point survey library against your registers, routes each record to its owner, and keeps the evidence trail together.
Coordinates the crew, rolls completion and exceptions into one view, and holds every write for your approval before it touches a record.
This template lives in KnowSafe — safety and compliance. Incidents, hazards, permits, inspections and the critical controls behind them.
Meet KnowSafe→Sources
Sources
- OSHA 1910.212 — Machine guarding general requirements
- OSHA — Occupational Safety and Health Administration