Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001A 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: The hazard of amputation of hands and/or fingers in that employees were not trained and instructed in the safe operation of press brakes and their point of operation guarding devices, as stipulated by ANSI B11.301982. In Department 47, operators did not know the light curtain is only to be "muted" once the die is within a maximum of 1/4 inch of the workpiece. Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is: 1) The employer shall instruct and train the operator in the safe method of work before starting work on any operation. 2) The employer shall ensure by adequate supervision that correct operating procedures are being followed. Disclaimers: 1) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by OSHA. 2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. 3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate abatement method.