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Record Type: Instruction
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Directive Number: STD 1-12.12
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Subject: General Requirements For All Machines, As Applied to Power
Press Brakes
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Information Date: 10/30/1978
OSHA Instruction STD 1-12.12
October 30, 1978
OSHA PROGRAM DIRECTIVE #100-44 (Revision #1)
TO: REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS - OSHA
Subject: 29 CFR 1910.212, General Requirements For All Machines, As
Applied to Power Press Brakes
1. Purpose
To provide guidance in the application of the subject standard to point
of operation safeguarding of Power Press Brakes.
2. Directives Affected
This directive supersedes OSHA Program Directive #100-44 dated January
21, 1976. Paragraph 4.c. on page 2 has been revised.
3. Background
A number of comments and requests for variances have been received concerning
29 CFR 1910.212 as it applies to point of operation safeguarding of Power
Press Brakes. 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1) requires that a method of guarding
be provided to prevent an operator or other employees from having any part
of the body in the danger zone during the operating cycle. It gives examples
of guarding methods such as barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices
and electronic safety devices. 29 CFR 1910.212 (a)(3)(ii) states: "The
point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to
injury, shall be guarded."
4. Action
a. Exposure or potential exposure must be established prior to a citation
being issued.
b. Protection of employees from point of operation hazards must be accomplished
by the use of guarding devices which are in conformity with any appropriate
standards for the specific machine involved. In the absence of applicable
specific standards, guarding devices shall be so designed and constructed
as to prevent the operator from having any part of the body in the danger
zone during the operating cycle.
c. Where guards or guarding devices, as described in the preceding paragraph
b., cannot be installed to protect operators and other employees from point
of operation hazards, then other methods are acceptable. Other methods
of safeguarding can include a safe distance between the employee(s) and
the point of operation, which may be accomplished by the location of the
operator's controls; the dimensions of the material being held; or the
use of hand tools to feed the part. In addition, a safe distance must be
maintained between the point of operation and employees who are either
working or passing in proximity to the unguarded machine. Where such alternative
effective precautions described ink this paragraph are taken, the unguarded
point of operation will be considered a de minimis violation.
d. Where machine guarding may be installed to protect employees from
point of operation hazards, hand tools shall not be used in lieu of machine
guarding but can only be used to supplement the protection provided. 29
CFR 11910.212(a)(3).
5. Effective Date
This directive is effective imediately and will remain in effect until
rescinded or revised by standard changes.
Barry J. White Associate Assistant Secretary for Regional Programs
DISTRIBUTION: A-1 B-2 C-1 D-4&5 Training Center
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