| Mechanical press amputations are always | | | | Safeguarding: |
| preventable. This article is first intended to help | | | | Safeguarding devices should be used. Safeguarding |
| prevent amputations. Second, to inform workers | | | | detects and/or prevents inadvertent or intentional |
| and their families of the safety issues they may | | | | access to the hazardous location. These devices |
| face if they or a loved one has been seriously | | | | protect workers against hazards at the point of |
| injured by a mechanical power press. | | | | operation. The manufacturer should design a |
| Amputations are the most common type of | | | | comprehensive safety system. Safety interlock |
| injuries caused by mechanical power presses. | | | | switches, safety light screens, and two-hand |
| These injuries occur due to point of operation | | | | controls are examples of safeguarding devices |
| hazards. The point of operation is the area on a | | | | that should be used as part of the safety |
| press where material is processed. Worker | | | | system. |
| amputations occur because point of operation | | | | The mechanical press manufacturer can not leave |
| guards and devices are not in place or are not | | | | safety up to the employer. The manufacturer is |
| properly installed. The worker places their hand, | | | | responsible for providing a comprehensive safety |
| finger or arm in the working area of the press | | | | system, which includes safe guards. Mechanical |
| when it cycles. | | | | power presses without adequate safeguards are |
| Press operator workers are injured when one of | | | | a ticking time bomb waiting to amputate a |
| the safety components of the press fails and the | | | | worker's hand. |
| clutch/brake control electrical circuit does not | | | | The Bottom Line: |
| provide control reliability. When the system's | | | | If you or a family member have a serious tool |
| components are integrated and function together | | | | and die injury or a power press injury; workers |
| as a unit there is control reliability. In other words, | | | | compensation benefits will not adequately |
| if one system component fails, the press will not | | | | compensate you for your injuries. This is |
| initiate a successive stroke until the failure is | | | | especially true for California workers. Usually, you |
| corrected. | | | | and your family's only chance of economic |
| A mechanical power press is a machine which | | | | survival is to successfully bring a third party |
| punches, shears, forms or assembles metal or | | | | lawsuit against the manufacturer, seller and/or |
| other materials by tools or dies. They are | | | | assembler of the tool and die and/or power press. |
| mounted on slides or rams. It operates in a | | | | The Cardinal Rule of Injury Claims: |
| controlled, reciprocating motion. The motion is | | | | If you are bringing a claim for injuries in court |
| toward and away from the lower die which is | | | | your credibility is always at issue. Never |
| stationary. | | | | misrepresent, fudge and/or exaggerate your |
| The upper and lower dies press together and a | | | | claim or your injuries. You must always tell the |
| piece is made. When the downstroke is | | | | truth. You won't get any "do-overs" in your court |
| completed, the formed piece is removed. Then a | | | | case. If the jury finds out you have been less |
| new piece is fed into the die. The process is | | | | than honest and candid you will lose. Always tell |
| repeated again and again. There are two main | | | | the truth. And, be sure to hire an attorney that |
| types of clutches: part revolution clutches and full | | | | will present your case honestly. |
| revolution clutches. | | | | |