What are the guarding requirements for press brakes?
Press brakes and Power presses are to be guarded in accordance with Regulation 4.29 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. Regulation 4.29(i) introduces a hierarchy of safeguards in respect to guarding plant guarding; requiring consideration of a permanently fixed physical barrier where practicable. Where access to the dangerous part is required, an interlocking physical barrier is to be provided. Where neither a permanently fixed barrier or an interlocking physical barrier is practicable , a physical barrier securely fixed by fasteners that require a tool remove them, must be considered. Only where none of the physical barriers are practicable options can a “presences sensing” safeguard system be used. In may cases physical barriers will be practicable. The code of practice: Safeguarding of machinery and plant provide good information on the selection and use of machinery safeguards.
