HAZARDS AT POINT OF OPERATION

1. (a) Methods of guarding. Except when operators use both hands to handle stock which is of such size that it is impossible to get their hands under the die, means of safeguarding the press at the point of operation shall be provided and used on each press in accordance with the following table, depending on the method of feeding the press:
2. (b) Enclosure of ram. If the press is safeguarded by enclosing the ram, the enclosure shall be substantially constructed. The opening between the bottom of the enclosure and the work or working surface shall not exceed 3/8 inch. The top of the enclosure shall extend at least as high as the upper limit of travel of the ram. There shall be no dangerous shear points between the guard and any moving part. Openings in the guard shall not exceed 1/2 inch, if within four inches of any moving point; if farther away than four inches, openings shall not exceed two square inches in area.
3. (c) Ram stroke. If the press is safeguarded by limiting the ram stroke, the stroke of the ram shall be such that the clearance between the ram and die or stripper shall not exceed 3/8 inch.

4. (d) Guards and devices. If the press is safeguarded by a gate guard, a two-hand tripping device, or a sweep guard, such guards or devices shall be of an approved type and conform with the following specifications:

   1. (1) Each such guard or device shall be simple and reliable in construction, application, and adjustment. It shall be permanently attached by cap screws or through bolts to the press frame. It shall not offer any accident hazard. It shall be designed and constructed to minimize the possibility of removing or misusing essential parts and to facilitate inspection of such parts.
   2. (2) Each guard or device shall be so designed and constructed that no part of the hand of the operator is within the danger zone while the ram is descending. Two-hand tripping devices shall be so arranged as to prevent tying, locking, wedging, or otherwise securing one handle or button and operating the press with the other hand only, except by the use of a key which shall be kept only in the possession of the foreman.
   3. (3) On slow acting presses each guard or device shall be arranged so as not to permit the operator to place his hand in the danger zone after the press has been tripped and while the ram is still descending.
   4. (4) The openings in gate guards shall be not greater than specified in subsection (b). This requirement applies also to sweep guards which consist of a sliding gate or enclosure.
   5. (5) Unless the guard or device is directly connected to the ram (for example, a sweep guard), a nonrepeat attachment shall be provided by which the tread or operating lever is disconnected after each stroke and a positive stop is introduced to stop the press. The nonrepeat attachment shall not be dependent upon the action of any spring except a compression spring operation in or on a closely fitting barrel or rod and so wound that the space between coils is less than the diameter of the wire. Such nonrepeat attachment, however, is not required for a gate guard so constructed as to insure its being in place to offer full protection if the press should repeat because of riding the treadle or breakage of the latch return spring. A nonrepeat attachment may be so arranged that it may be rendered inoperative in case continuous operation is desired, if for such operation the press is otherwise safeguarded as specified in subsection (a).
   6. (6) Gate guards which are attached to the ram and which move downward so that the hand of the operator may be caught between gate and lower die are prohibited.
5. (e) Handtools. Handtools for placing and removing material shall permit easy handling of material without requiring the operator to place his hand in the danger zone. Such tools shall be accepted in lieu of a guard only when the preferred methods listed in subsection (c) are not employed and when the use of the tools is strictly enforced by the employer.

6. (f) Treadle guard. Each foot-operated power press shall conform with any of the following:

   1. (1) A substantial guard shall be placed over the treadle to prevent accidental tripping.
   2. (2) An equally effective special design of treadle shall be used.
   3. (3) The treadle shall be located within the frame of the machine. Guards for treadles other than long bars extending across the machine shall be not more than twice the width of the foot.
7. (g) Latch. Hand-operated power presses shall be equipped with a spring latch on the lever to prevent accidental or premature tripping.
8. (h) Interlocking device. Each hand-operated power press, if tended by more than one person, shall have an interlocking lever or similar device controlled by the helper to prevent accidental or premature tripping.

GUARDS FOR POINT OF OPERATION Method of Feeding PressSafeguarding Required (1) Manual(A) Enclosure of ram [§ 29.21(b)]; or (B) Limitation of ram stroke [§ 29.2(c)]; or (C) Gate guard [§ 29.21(d)]; or (D) Two-hand tripping device [§ 29.21(d)]; or (E) Sweep guard [§ 29.21(d)]; or (F) When the preceding preferred methods are not employed, special handtools may be used for holding or placing the material [§ 29.21(e)]. (2) Semi-automatic 1. Chute feed(A) Enclosure of ram [§ 29.21(b)]; 2. Slide feed or 3. Sliding dies(B) Limitation of ram stroke [§ 29.21(c)]; 4. Dial feed or 5. Revolving dies(C) Gate guard [§ 29.21(d)]. (3) Automatic 1. Automatic roll feed(A) Enclosure of ram [§ 29.21(b)]; or 2. Automatic push or pull feed(B) Limitation of ram stroke [§ 29.21(c)]; or 3. Automatic plunger feed(C) Gate guard [§ 29.21(d)].