Identify the most common power press hazards and risks
Recognize and properly use essential safety controls and PPE
Master the proper procedures for pre-shift inspections
Apply safe operating, maintenance, and LOTO procedures
Learn how to identify and respond to unsafe situations
Mechanical power presses are an incredible industrial tool, shaping and cutting metal with immense force. But with that power comes a serious potential for life-altering injury. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 60% of all work-related amputations involve some type of machinery, like a power press. And even more sobering, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that about half of all injuries from mechanical power presses result in an amputation. This is why power press safety is so critical and deserves our full attention.
Power Press Safety is an essential course designed to give you a complete understanding of how to work with these machines safely and confidently. It goes beyond the basic rules to teach you the "why" behind them, providing the knowledge you need to protect yourself and your coworkers. We'll start with general safety requirements, like keeping a clean workspace and wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The training then dives into the "point of operation" —the part of the machine where the most serious hazards, including crushing and amputation, can occur. You'll learn how to identify these risks and protect yourself using critical safety controls like two-hand controls, physical barrier guards, and presence-sensing devices (or "light curtains").
The course emphasizes the importance of a thorough pre-shift inspection, a crucial step to ensure the press and all safety devices are functioning correctly before you even begin work. Finally, you'll learn the safe operating procedures that are vital to preventing accidents, from using the right operator tools to understanding the proper use of safety blocks for maintenance. The course also provides a detailed look at Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, which are essential to de-energize equipment and protect yourself and others during maintenance or repairs.
By mastering these safety guidelines and understanding the standards set by OSHA 1910.217 and OSHA 1910.147, you can take control of your environment, significantly reduce risks, and ensure you go home safe after every shift. This training is a must for press operators, maintenance staff, and anyone who works around mechanical power presses.
This program is available with Spanish and French closed captions.
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Power press hazards can be both physical, like flying debris, and operational, such as crushing and amputation at the "point of operation". According to OSHA, about half of all injuries from these machines result in an amputation.
A pre-shift inspection is a routine check of a machine and its safety devices before you begin work. It is vital because it helps you identify potential hazards, like damage or malfunctions, that could lead to an accident.
The "point of operation" is the area where the machine performs its work, like cutting, shaping, and forming. This is considered the most dangerous area on the machine, as it's where the most serious risks, including crushing, amputation, and even death, can occur.
Common safety controls include physical guards, such as barrier and die enclosure guards, and presence-sensing devices, like "light curtains". The press may also be equipped with an easily accessible Red Stop Button and two-hand controls.
Lockout/Tagout, or LOTO, is a critical safety procedure that prevents machines from accidentally activating during maintenance or repairs. It requires workers to shut down all energy sources and apply a lock and tag to ensure the equipment cannot be turned back on.
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