Perspectives in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Injuries
and Amputations Resulting From Work With Mechanical Power Presses
On May 22, 1987, the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, CDC, released Current Intelligence Bulletin #49:
Injuries
and Amputations Resulting from Work with Mechanical Power Presses.
This publication is one of a series of bulletins providing new
information or updating existing data on chemical substances,
physical
agents, or safety hazards found in the workplace. A summary of the
document, which is now available to the public,* follows.
In 1980, there were an estimated 151,000 operators of
mechanical
power presses in the United States. The existing standard
promulgated
by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for
mechanical power presses provides requirements for press
construction
and operation (1). However, power press operators continue to be at
risk of injury. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
indicate
that about 20,000 amputations occur each year. Approximately 10%
(1,600-2,000) of these amputations occur among power press
operators
(2). In addition, recent statistics compiled by OSHA indicate that
approximately 49% of the injuries caused by mechanical power
presses
result in amputations (U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Safety
and Health Administration, unpublished data). Furthermore, an
analysis
of data on injury frequency and severity, operator hand speeds,
payment of compensation, and the extent of worker exposure
indicates
that young male operators are at greater risk than other operators
and
that mechanical power presses are the metalworking machines most in
need of research to improve safety. Current Intelligence Bulletin
#49
provides recommendations for the safe use of mechanical power
presses,
specifically those operated by foot or dual palm-button controls.
Adherence to these recommendations should reduce the risk of injury
among mechanical power press operators.
Reported by: Div of Standards Development and Technology Transfer,
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC.
References
Office of the Federal Register. Code of federal regulations:
labor. Washington, DC: Office of the Federal Register, National
Archives and Records Administration, 1986. (29 CFR 1910. 217).
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Work-related hand injuries and
upper
extremity amputations. Washington, DC: US Department of Labor,
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1983. (Bulletin no. 2160).
*Copies of Current Intelligence Bulletin #49 can be obtained
without
charge from the Publications Dissemination Section, Division of
Standards Development and Technology Transfer, National Institute
for
Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati,
Ohio 45226; telephone, (513) 841-4287.
Disclaimer
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**Questions or messages regarding errors in formatting should be addressed to [email protected].
