Workers who operate and maintain machinery suffer approximately 18,000 amputations, lacerations, crushing injuries, abrasions, and over 800 deaths per year. Most of these incidents are caused by improper guarding of workplace machines. In fact one of the most frequently cited OSHA regulations is machine guarding.
One common method of protecting workers who use mechanical power presses is the use of pullout devices, otherwise known as “pullbacks.” A pullout device is a mechanism attached to the operator’s hands and connected to the upper die or slide of the press that is designed to withdraw the operator’s hands as the dies close, if the hands come inadvertently within the point of operation.
Unfortunately, OSHA inspectors frequently find that the pullout devices are not properly maintained, adjusted, inspected, or even used. Many times, these conditions lead to amputations.
Make sure your shop follows all OSHA safety procedures when using pullouts. In particular, each pull-out device must be inspected and checked for proper adjustment at the start of each operator shift, following a new die setup, and whenever operators are changed. The pullout device’s instruction manual, provided by the manufacturer, usually lists a number of safety practices in addition to the OSHA standards. If you are inspected by OSHA, you may be asked to provide a copy of the manual.
Unfortunately, many individuals, and even companies, ignore all types of guards. They think they slow up the operation or make maintenance difficult. That’s just plain foolish! The guards are there to save you from an injury or amputation. Use them!