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

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 amputation hazards: a) On or about 01/10/12 in the Press Brake area; opening on press brake ( Amada NC-9 50 ton capacity 6.5' bed ) was set at approximately 1" with operator's fingers being as close as three inches away from point of operation while braking this part. Given the dimensions of this part a " dummy step" could have been used to eliminate the caught between hazard. b) On or about 01/10/12 in the Press Brake area; employer has adopted the " safe distance" guarding method but has not conducted annual inspections with each press brake operator as per CPL 2-1.25, Guidelines for Point of Operation Guarding Power Press Brake. ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED ANSI B11.3-1982 Guarding Power Press Brakes paragraph 6.1.4.3 states: " ...a dimension value has not been assigned to the minimum safe distance." For the purpose of maintaining a "safe distance" as discussed in this instruction, the operating employee and helping employee(s) must not approach closer than necessary and in no case, closer than 4 inches to the power press brake point of operation. The minimum safe distance 4 inches shall be measured from the exterior point of contact of the power press brake die closet to an employees. Feasible and acceptable methods to correct the hazard since employer is small run operation implement a "Safe Distance" Safe Guarding program. 1) Develop and document a "safe distance" exposure prevention program consisting of employee training, determine effectiveness of training, retraining when periodic inspections identify deviations or inadequacies in the employee's knowledge or work practices, effective supervision, and enforcement.