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 crushing / amputation hazards: On or about September 8, 2008, a brake assistant was attempting to adjust a back gage of an Amada 170 ton press brake, model #HFE 170-4 by reaching through the front of the machine to the back gage on the right side. As the brake assistant was adjusting the back gage the brake operator stepped on the foot pedal for the press brake, causing the die to come down, thus exposing employee to crushing injuries. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to develop a training program for all employee(s) working with brake presses that address safe work procedures as recommended by ANSI B11.3, sections 4.2.6 and 9.2.3, such as, but not limited to the following: communication between the brake operator and brake assistant, adjusting back gages, pinch points, die/ram blocking, point or operation guarding, set up, and inspecting brake presses. 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1) requires certification and documentation that the abatement of the above violation is completed.