3 Fundamentals of press design

3 Fundamentals of press design
3.6 Press safety and certification
3.6.1 Accident prevention
Due to their mode of operation and the energy input levels involved,
presses represent – compared to many other machines – a higher potential
hazard to the operator. However, as a result of considerable effort,
notably the revision of the German accident prevention regulations for
presses VBG7n5.1 dated April 1, 1987, the number of serious accidents
occurring on or at presses has been substantially reduced. In addition to
complying with legislation on safety requirements based on the “state
of the art”, manufacturers must also have the capability to recognize
and implement sensible safety measures. The manufacturer’s own sphere
of responsibility in this field is a major portion of European safety legislation.
As part of the service package offered by manufacturers, the
operating instruction manual contains special safety provisions and
instructions.
A major goal is to make the press operator recognize the necessity for
safety measures. The unpredictable nature of human reaction in surprise
or emergency situations must be taken into account here. Highlighting
the accident risk is the first and most important step when training
machine personnel on safety matters. As long as the operator or maintenance
personnel are not convinced of the necessity for safety measures,
they will be inclined to find ways of bypassing them. Excessive or superfluous
safety measures by the manufacturer are also certain to create
greater willingness on the part of operating staff to attempt to override
safety functions. Reasons that justify negligence with regard to safety
measures become quickly insignificant if an accident does actually occur.
Metal Forming Handbook / Schuler (c) Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1998