Guarding mechanical presses outside the power-press rule

July 17, 1975

Mr. Russell F. Shea
Safety-Security Manager
Rubbermaid, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]

Dear Mr. Shea:

This is in response to your letter of May 13, 1975, addressed to the Chicago Regional Office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and a telephone conversation with a member of my staff concerning the applicability of the standards to your mechanical goods presses.

Based on the information contained in the brochure and blueprint forwarded to this office, it has been determined that the above equipment does not meet the requirements of the operational definition as set forth in ANSI B11.1-1971 for mechanical power presses. Therefore, Section 1910.217 does not apply to this type of equipment but is governed by Section 1910.212.

The screen guard and micro-switch device installed on the McNeil Press is an acceptable method as point of operation guarding, however, the screen guard does not completely enclose the front and sides of the platens, thereby allowing openings where the hands could be inserted.

Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health, and if I may be of further assistance please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Janet H. Sprickman
Acting Director
Division of Occupational Safety Programming