Is undervoltage protection required on metal-working equipment?
Response 1: There are no OSHA standards designed specifically to cover metal sawing machines. However, many of OSHA’s standards for general industry are applicable to all types of machinery, including metal-working equipment. 29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart S Electrical 303(b)(1) provides that “electrical equipment shall be free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.” The automatic restarting of a machine after a power failure would be a recognized hazard under many circumstances. See the 1999 edition of the NEC Article 430-43, which states: A motor overload device that can restart a motor automatically after overload tripping shall not be installed if automatic restarting of the motor can result in injury to persons. Properly-designed and maintained undervoltage equipment that will prevent restarting would enable an employer to control this particular hazard. Question 2: Does an emergency stop have to be of the mushroomed head type or pa
