Safe Use of Power Presses and Press Brakes
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Safe Use of Power Presses and Press Brakes

Views: 1465     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2023-05-29      Origin: Site

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punching machine

1.Introduction

This provides information on the usage of power presses and press brakes. It also highlights the hazards associated with the use of these machines, and provides methods for proper safeguarding during operation.

The objectives of this Technical Advisory are to:

• Incorporate safety and health requirements and measures during the installation,

commissioning, relocation, modification, setting up, operation and maintenance of power presses and press brakes;

• Inform on how to manage any risks that may arise from the use of these machines;

• Highlight the training requirements for personnel working with these machines.

Compliance with this Workplace Safety and Health does not, by itself, confer immunity from legal obligations.


2.Terms and Definitions

Power Presses

3. Power Press and Press Brake Hazards

There are many hazards when operating a power press and press brake and this chapter will focus on some of the obvious ones, in particular during the point-of-operation. The 12 main hazards to look out for are:

Power Presses

Power Presses

Power Presses

3.1 Being Caught in Between Objects

Power presses are used to punch, bend, or shear a metal work piece using a tooling or die attached to the slide and the bed (Figure 1). During a point-of-operation, severe crushing,amputation and even death may occur should “a caught in between” hazard occur. 

Press brakes are used to bend metal sheets. While the actual operation of the press brake does not require the operator’s hands to be placed at the point-of-operation, the close proximity to the closing dies still poses a significant risk.

Power Presses

“Caught in between” hazards happen when the stock “whips”’ or bends up, creating a pinch-point hazard between it and the front face of the slide (Figure 2). Risk assessments must be performed when a new work activity or a change of work activity is introduced to the production and control measures must be taken accordingly.

The installation and removal of tooling provides the most direct exposure at the point-of-operation as the operator has to place his hands or even his head between the dies (Figure 3). The hand or head can be severely crushed if the ram were to fall during setup. The use of a safety block (Figure4) is necessary when performing this task.

Power Presses

3.2 Cut by Sharp Edges

Attention should be paid to the loading and unloading of materials and work pieces as the sharp edges of a sheet metal can cause cuts.

3.3 Struck by Falling Objects

Lifting of the die is needed during power press setup. During this time, due care must be taken to prevent the die from dropping. If the die drops, the operator risks severe injury and even death as the usual weight of a die is more than 500kg.

3.4 Struck by Flying Objects

During punching operations, metal chips from either material or die may break and fly out,especially if the power press is not aligned with the die. These flying metal chips can potentially hit the operator and other workers in the area and cause serious injury.

3.5 Struck by Moving Objects

This hazard can occur when operating a press brake. This happens when the sheet metal bends and its tip “slaps” the die-setter or troubleshooter during trial sample making (Figure 5).

Power Presses

3.6 Dragged Towards Danger Zone

This is particularly hazardous for automatic feeding set-ups. Operators should take special care when using the machine (Figure 6).

Power Presses

3.7 Noise-induced Deafness

Power presses are inherently noisy and noise levels can be as high as 95~115dB(A). The sources of noise are likely to be pneumatic and mechanical vibrations. Machines with worn out parts also contribute to the high noise level. This can cause noise-induced deafness (NID).

3.8 Energy Source Failure

Electrical, mechanical and pneumatic machine components might fail. For example, the failure of a single-stroke linkage (mechanical), the failure of control relay (electrical) and the loss of air pressure (pneumatic) might pose hazards that are likely to cause accidents.

3.9 Unintended Energisation

Examples of unintended energisation include:

• The failure to properly disable, isolate energy sources or apply lockout procedures before a person performs servicing.

• Unprotected foot pedals that can introduce the possibility of accidental cycling. The risk occurs when the operator’s hands are inadvertently placed at the point-of-operation when the foot pedal is initiated.

• Bypassing controls of a single-operator press by having a co-worker initiate the controls while the operator positions or aligns parts in the die, or repairs or troubleshoots the press. This is an example of concurrent work which should be avoided.

3.10 Unsafe Work Behaviour

Unsafe behaviour is common in the workplace and can cause accidents. Some examples are:

• Guards and devices are bypassed;

• Two-hand controls are bridged to allow initiation with one hand;

• Two-hand controls are initiated with the help of co-workers;

• Failure to isolate or de-activate energy sources and to comply with lockout procedures before a person performs servicing and maintenance works.

3.11 Poor Design and Maintenance of Guards and Devices

Injuries and amputations are still prevalent even though safeguards and devices have been installed on power presses. While some accidents are due to unsafe behaviour, a number are due to poorly designed guards and devices.

For example, some presence-sensing devices are sometimes partially muted in their design and do not take the safety distance or gap into consideration. 

Poor maintenance of guards and devices also contributes to accidents. Workers tend to assume that safety devices and guardings work. However, severe accidents do happen when they fail without the workers’ knowledge.

3.12 Fatigue Caused by Working Long Hours

During peak demand periods, workers work long hours. For maintenance staff, extreme and urgent repairs can require them to work long hours on end without rest. Moonlighting may also contribute to fatigue. Without proper control, such work patterns can result in fatigue-induced accidents in the power press environment.

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