Power Presses Machine Guarding
Power Presses Machine Guarding
Power Presses are machines that shear, punch, form, or assemble metal or other material by means of
tools or dies attached to slides. Power presses can be mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic. In mechanical
power presses, tools and dies are mounted on a slide or ram, and move away from the stationary bed
containing the lower die. The upper and lower dies press together to punch, shear or form the work piece.
Employers have a legal responsibility under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 to provide a safe
working environment and this includes the safe use of machinery. Under Regulation 17 of the HSE Act’s 1995
Regulations, provision must be made for the safe cleaning, maintenance and repair of machinery.
This includes guarding, lockout mechanisms, and a training programme for safe work procedures.
■ Hazard Controls
• Use of the closed tool method (enclosed tool);
• Fit with emergency stops;
• Adequate training and supervision of operators;
• Reduced force of the press;
Ensure the power press is suitably guarded to prevent
• Increased clearance to remove pinch point;
access. Fit the machine with an interlock safety device to
• Automated material handing or robots. ensure the machine stops when the guard is lifted.
DOL 11956.4 APR 13
Excessive opening size in fixed frontal guard leading to Mechanical power press guarded with hinged interlock
accident. guard and anti-free fall device.