This Appendix provides nonmandatory supplementary information
and guidelines to assist in the understanding and use of 29 CFR
1910.217(h) to allow presence sensing device initiation (PSDI)
of mechanical power presses. Although this Appendix as such is
not mandatory, it references sections and requirements which are
made mandatory by other parts of the PSDI standard and appendices.
1. General
OSHA
intends that PSDI continue to be prohibited where present state-of-the-art
technology will not allow it to be done safely. Only part revolution
type mechanical power presses are approved for PSDI. Similarly,
only presses with a configuration such that a person’s body
cannot completely enter the bed area are approved for PSDI.
2. Brake and Clutch
Flexible
steel band brakes do not possess a long-term reliability against
structural failure as compared to other types of brakes, and therefore
are not acceptable on presses used in the PSDI mode of operation.
Fast and consistent stopping times are important to safety for
the PSDI mode of operation. Consistency of braking action is enhanced
by high brake torque. The requirement in paragraph (h)(2)(ii)
defines a high torque capability which should ensure fast and
consistent stopping times.
Brake design parameters important to PSDI are high torque, low
moment of inertia, low air volume (if pneumatic) mechanisms, non-interleaving
engagement springs, and structural integrity which is enhanced
by over-design. The requirement in paragraph (h)(2)(iii) reduces
the possibility of significantly increased stopping time if a
spring breaks.
As an added precaution to the requirements in paragraph (h)(2)(iii),
brake adjustment locking means should be secured. Where brake
springs are externally accessible, lock nuts or other means may
be provided to reduce the possibility of backing off of the compression
nut which holds the springs In place.
3. Pneumatic Systems
Elevated clutch/brake
air pressure results in longer stopping time. The requirement
in paragraph (h)(3)(i)(C) is intended to prevent degradation in
stopping speed from higher air pressure. Higher pressures may
be permitted, however, to increase clutch torque to free “jammed”
dies, provided positive measures are provided to prevent the higher
pressure at other times.
4. Flywheels and Bearings
Lubrication of bearings is considered the single greatest deterrent
to their failure. The manufacturer’s recommended procedures
for maintenance and inspection should be closely followed.
5. Brake Monitoring
The approval of brake monitor adjustments, as required in paragraph
(h)(5)(ii), is not considered a recertification, and does not
necessarily involve an on-site inspection by a representative
of the validation organization. It is expected that the brake
monitor adjustment normally could be evaluated on the basis of
the effect on the safety system certification/validation documentation
retained by the validation organization.
Use of a brake monitor does not eliminate the need for periodic
brake inspection and maintenance to reduce the possibility of
catastrophic failures.
6. Cycle Control and Control Systems
The PSDI set-up/reset means required by paragraph (h)(6)(iv) may
be initiated by the actuation of a special momentary pushbutton
or by the actuation of a special momentary pushbutton and the
initiation of a first stroke with two hand controls.
It would normally be preferable to limit the adjustment of the
time required in paragraph (h)(6)(vi) to a maximum of 15 seconds.
However, where an operator must do many operations outside the
press, such as lubricating, trimming, deburring, etc., a longer
interval up to 30 seconds is permitted.
When a press is equipped for PSDI operation, it is recommended
that the presence sensing device be active as a guarding device
in other production modes. This should enhance the reliability
of the device and ensure that it remains operable.
An acceptable method for interlocking supplemental guards as required
by paragraph (h)(6)(xiii) would be to incorporate the supplemental
guard and the PSDI presence sensing device into a hinged arrangement
in which the alignment of the presence sensing device serves,
in effect, as the interlock. If the supplemental guards are moved,
the presence sensing device would become misaligned and the press
control would be deactivated. No extra micro switches or interlocking
sensors would be required. Paragraph (h)(6)(xv) of the standard
requires that the control system have provisions for an “inch”
operating means; that die-setting not be done in the PSDI mode;
and that production not be done in the “inch” mode.
It should be noted that the sensing device would be by-passed
in the “inch” mode. For that reason, the prohibitions
against die-setting in the PSDI mode, and against production in
the “inch” mode are cited to emphasize that “inch”
operation is of reduced safety and is not compatible with PSDI
or other production modes.
7. Environmental Requirements
It is the intent of paragraph (h)(7) that control components be
provided with inherent design protection against operating stresses
and environmental factors affecting safety and reliability.
8. Safety system
The safety system provision continues the concept of paragraph
(b)(13) that the probability of two independent failures in the
length of time required to make one press cycle is so remote as
to be a negligible risk factor in the total array of equipment
and human factors. The emphasis is on an integrated total system
including all elements affecting point of operation safety.
It should be noted that this does not require redundancy for press
components such as structural elements, clutch/brake mechanisms,
plates, etc., for which adequate reliability may be achieved by
proper design, maintenance, and inspection.
9. Safeguarding the Point of Operation
The intent of paragraph (h)(9)(iii) is to prohibit use of mirrors
to “bend” a single light curtain sensing field around
corners to cover more than one side of a press. This prohibition
is needed to increase the reliability of the presence sensing
device in initiating a stroke only when the desired work motion
has been completed.
“Object sensitivity” describes the capability of a
presence sensing device to detect an object in the sensing field,
expressed as the linear measurement of the smallest interruption
which can be detected at any point in the field. Minimum object
sensitivity describes the largest acceptable size of the interruption
in the sensing field. A minimum object sensitivity of one and
one fourth inches (31.75 mm) means that a one and one-fourth inch
(31.75 mm) diameter object will be continuously detected at all
locations in the sensing field.
In deriving the safety distance required in paragraph (h)(9)(v),
all stopping time measurements should be made with clutch/brake
air pressure regulated to the press manufacturer’s recommended
value for full clutch torque capability. The stopping time measurements
should be made with the heaviest upper die that is planned for
use in the press. If the press has a slide counterbalance system,
it is important that the counterbalance be adjusted correctly
for upper die weight according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
While the brake monitor setting is based on the stopping time
it actually measures, i.e., the normal stopping time at the top
of the stroke, it is important that the safety distance be computed
from the longest stopping time measured at any of the indicated
three downstroke stopping positions listed in the explanation
of Ts. The use in the formula of twice the stopping time increase,
Tm, allowed by the brake monitor for brake wear allows for greater
increases in the downstroke stopping time than occur in normal
stopping time at the top of the stroke.
10. Inspection and Maintenance. [Reserved]
11. Safety System Certification/Validation
Mandatory requirements for certification/validation of the PSDI
safety system are provided in Appendix
A and Appendix C to
this standard. Nonmandatory supplementary information and guidelines
relating to certification/validation of the PSDI safety system
are provided to Appendix B
to this standard.
[53 FR 8364, Mar. 14, 1988; 61 FR 9227, March 7, 1996]