Abstract: EMPLOYEE #1 WAS OPERATING AN AMADA HYDRAULIC PRESS BRAKE MACHINE WHEN HE FELL AGAINST THE PRESS. HIS FOOT WAS ON THE TREDDLE BAR AND HIS LEFT HAND ON THE LOWER BED DIE. THE LOWER DIE CLOSED AGAINST THE UPPER DIE, CRUSHING THE EMPLOYEE'S INDEX, SECOND & THIRD FINGERS. THE PRESS BRAKE LACKED POINT-OF-OPERATION GUARDING. IT WAS POSSIBLE TO CYCLE THE MACHINE WHILE THE OPERATOR'S HANDS WERE IN THE THROAT OPENING (1 FOOT, 3 INCHES MAXIMUM). THE EMPLOYER CONTENDED THAT EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO HOLD A "SAFETY RAIL BAR", LOCATED 12 INCHES ABOVE THE POINT-OF-OPERATION. HOWEVER, THIS PROCEEDURE DOES NOT OFFER POSITIVE GUARDING. THE BRAKE IS NOT INTERLOCKED TO THE BAR AND CAN BE CYCLED WITHOUT USE OF THE BAR.