To provide guidance in the application of the subject standard to point of operation safeguarding of Power Press Brakes.

This directive supersedes OSHA Program Directive #100-44 dated January 21, 1976. Paragraph 4.c. on page 2 has been revised.

A number of comments and requests for variances have been received concerning 29 CFR 1910.212 as it applies to point of operation safeguarding of Power Press Brakes. 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1) requires that a method of guarding be provided to prevent an operator or other employees from having any part of the body in the danger zone during the operating cycle. It gives examples of guarding methods such as barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices and electronic safety devices. 29 CFR 1910.212 (a)(3)(ii) states: "The point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded."

a. Exposure or potential exposure must be established prior to a citation being issued.

b. Protection of employees from point of operation hazards must be accomplished by the use of guarding devices which are in conformity with any appropriate standards for the specific machine involved. In the absence of applicable specific standards, guarding devices shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of the body in the danger zone during the operating cycle.

c. Where guards or guarding devices, as described in the preceding paragraph b., cannot be installed to protect operators and other employees from point of operation hazards, then other methods are acceptable. Other methods of safeguarding can include a safe distance between the employee(s) and the point of operation, which may be accomplished by the location of the operator's controls; the dimensions of the material being held; or the use of hand tools to feed the part. In addition, a safe distance must be maintained between the point of operation and employees who are either working or passing in proximity to the unguarded machine. Where such alternative effective precautions described ink this paragraph are taken, the unguarded point of operation will be considered a de minimis violation.

d. Where machine guarding may be installed to protect employees from point of operation hazards, hand tools shall not be used in lieu of machine guarding but can only be used to supplement the protection provided. 29 CFR 11910.212(a)(3).

This directive is effective imediately and will remain in effect until rescinded or revised by standard changes.