Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 004 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 and amputation injuries during the operation of the presses in that there were not routine inspections to identify hazards with the presses and operator and/or supervisors were not adequately trained to recognize hazards associated witih safe press operations: (a) Molding Department; power presses were being operated with inadequate guarding. (b) Sizing Department; power presses were being used with inadequate guarding. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards include: (1) Require that the individual assigned the responsibility for tool setting ensure that appropriate safeguarding is installed. (2) Ensure the original and continuing competence of personnel servicing, inspecting and maintaining presses. (3) Ensure that these employees involved in press set-up and operation have training and information to set-up and operate presses safely and ensure that these instructions are followed. (4) Ensure that all employees associated with presses are instructed so they can perform the functions for which they are responsible. (5) Establish and follow a program of periodic and regular inspections of presses to ensure all their parts, auxillary equipment and safeguards are in safe operating condition and adjustment and maintain a certification record of inspections. (6) Inspect and test each press no less than weekly to determine the condition of the clutch/brake mechanism, anti-repeat feature and single stroke mechanism, and maintain a certification record of tests, inspections and maintenance. NOTE: Reference ANSI Standard B11.16 Draft 1985