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Mechanical power press safeguarding under OSHA 1910.217

Section 1910.217 is the most detailed standard in Subpart O. It sets which safeguards a mechanical power press may use, how far they must be from the point of operation, and how the press must be inspected.

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Guards, devices and presence sensing

The employer must provide and ensure the use of point-of-operation guards or properly applied and adjusted devices on every operation performed on a mechanical power press, with guard openings conforming to Table O-10. This requirement does not apply when the point-of-operation opening is one-fourth inch or less.

A presence-sensing device must stop slide motion if a body part is in the sensing field during the downstroke. It may not be used on machines with full revolution clutches, and may not trip the press except in full conformance with the PSDI rules in paragraph (h). Its safety distance must exceed Ds = 63 inches/second x Ts, where Ts is the stopping time.

Two-hand controls

Each hand control must be protected against unintended operation and arranged so that the concurrent use of both hands is required to trip the press. When several operators work on one press, each needs separate two-hand controls, and all must be applied to activate the slide.

For two-hand trips on full revolution clutch presses, the safety distance uses Tm, the maximum time to die closure after tripping; with one engaging point, Tm equals the time for one and one-half crankshaft revolutions.

Inspection program and injury reporting

The inspection program has a general component (periodic and regular inspections of all parts and safeguards) and a directed component: each press must be inspected and tested at least once a week for the clutch/brake mechanism, antirepeat feature and single-stroke mechanism. Each maintenance task under the directed component must be recorded with its date, the signature of the person who performed it and the press identifier.

The employer must report all point-of-operation injuries on mechanical power presses within 30 days, to OSHA or to the State agency administering an approved plan.

Frequently asked questions

Are diesetters covered by point-of-operation safeguarding?

Yes. OSHA Instruction STD 01-12-024 states that diesetters are covered by 1910.217(c). On presses with part revolution clutches, an inch mode installed as specified in 1910.217(b)(7)(iv) counts as a device for this purpose.

Must operators be trained before running a press?

The employer must train and instruct the operator in the safe method of work before starting any operation covered by 1910.217, and must ensure through adequate supervision that correct procedures are followed.

Does a full revolution clutch press need a single-stroke mechanism?

Yes, machines using full revolution clutches must incorporate a single-stroke mechanism, and two-hand trip systems on these machines must include an antirepeat feature.

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