Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CRUSHING

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to being caught between sections of heated dies which could result in fractures, crushing injuries, and/or burns: (a)On or about 8/14/97 in the Shop Area. The selector control between "automatic" and "manual" on the French Oil Mill Machinery Co. hydraulic press, # PH 37735CC+2 was not controlled or supervised by the employer. This permitted the press cycle to be interrupted and the die "opened" allowing an employee to reach into the unguarded point of operation. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to reduce this hazard is to make selector switch operable only by key which is under the direct control of the employer. Another means of control would be to program the computer to prevent the die from being opened once the automatic cycle was initiated. American National Institute Standards #B11.2-1982, paragraph 3.4.2 states that "When more than one mode is furnished, a means of selecting the different modes, such as 'off', 'inch', 'single cycle', and 'automatic' shall be supplied with the press control. Selecting the mode shall not in itself create press motion. Selection shall be by means capable of being supervised by the employer". ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED