For mechanical power press operators, die setters and supervisors: which presses are covered, point of operation guards and devices, hand feeding tools, two-hand controls, safety blocks for die work, the inspection program, operator instruction and injury reporting.
Based on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.217 · about 3 min read
Need proof of training? The full course (25 min) adds practice questions, a job scenario, the final quiz and a certificate your employer can verify.
This rule covers mechanical power presses. Press brakes, hydraulic and pneumatic presses, bulldozers, hot bending and hot metal presses, forging presses and hammers, riveting machines and similar types of fastener applicators are excluded.
The employer must provide and ensure use of point of operation guards or properly applied and adjusted point of operation devices on every operation, unless the point of operation opening is 1/4 inch or less.
A point of operation guard must prevent hands or fingers from reaching through, over, under or around it; must conform to the maximum permissible openings of Table O-10; must not, in itself, create a pinch point between the guard and moving machine parts; must use fasteners not readily removable by the operator; must facilitate its inspection; and must offer maximum visibility of the point of operation consistent with the other requirements.
Presence sensing devices are interlocked into the control circuit to prevent or stop slide motion if the operator's hand or other part of the body is within the sensing field during the downstroke. They may not be used on full revolution clutch presses, and guards must protect any other areas of entry.
Pull-out devices are inspected and checked for adjustment at the start of each operator shift, after a new die set-up and when operators change.
A sweep device may not be used for point of operation safeguarding.
Two-hand controls: removing a hand from any button stops the slide; each operator has separate controls when more than one is used; controls are set at a safety distance and fixed so only a supervisor or safety engineer can relocate them.
Hand feeding tools are not guards or devices and may not replace them. The employer furnishes and enforces the use of hand tools for freeing stuck work or scrap, so no employee needs to reach into the point of operation.
The employer provides and enforces the use of safety blocks whenever dies are being adjusted or repaired in the press.
On inclined presses, die stops or other means prevent losing control of the die during setting or removal.
The employer establishes and follows an inspection program with a general and a directed component, including periodic and regular inspections of each press, its auxiliary equipment and safeguards, including the clutch/brake mechanism, antirepeat feature and single-stroke mechanism. Certification records (date, signature and press identifier) are kept as the rule specifies.
The employer must train and instruct the operator in the safe method of work before starting work on any covered operation, and use adequate supervision to make sure correct procedures are followed.
The employer provides clearance between machines so that movement of one operator will not interfere with the work of another, and ample room for cleaning machines and handling material, work pieces and scrap. Surrounding floors are kept in good condition and free from obstructions, grease, oil and water.
Presses are operated within the manufacturer's tonnage and attachment weight ratings.
The employer reports all point-of-operation injuries to OSHA (or the state plan agency) within 30 days of the occurrence.
Fact-checked against the regulation text on October 09, 2026. This certificate records completion of awareness training based on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.217. It is not an OSHA card or license, and it does not by itself meet the training requirements of 29 CFR 1910.217(f)(2). Your employer must still train and instruct the operator in the safe method of work before starting work on any operation covered by 1910.217, and insure by adequate supervision that correct operating procedures are being followed. For presses used in the PSDI mode, 1910.217(h)(13) requires that training before the employee initially operates the press and as needed to maintain competence, but not less than annually, with a certification record. Under 1910.217(e)(3) the employer must insure the original and continuing competence of personnel caring for, inspecting, and maintaining power presses.
This guide explains the rule in plain words. Always read the regulation itself and your employer's site-specific procedures.