These machines were among the best and safest machines available when designed. Today, however, they may not meet the current safety requirements mandated by Federal OSHA, State CAL/OSHA, National Electrical Code, local City Fire Department codes and others. Some machines may have reached a point that they require a complete overhaul or rebuilding of machine components in order to restore their reliability to OEM standards. The above agencies may require retrofitting of safety devices to bring the machine up to current standards. Over-age components, non-functional safety devices, or unsafe operator practices may cause unintended action of the knife or clamp. Such unintended action may result in severe, permanent injury to the operator. If a machine is too old or too costly to be made safe, it would be better to scrap it than to risk injury to the operator.

    California Labor Code, CAL/OSHA, and the Health and Safety Code hold the corporation and management responsible and criminally liable (including heavy fines and imprisonment) for violation of safety practices which result in serious injury. Allowing the use of a paper cutter with known safety hazards can result in severe penalties. A recent state law requires a written safety program to be implemented by all employers.

    Safety standards to prevent unsafe operation of the cutter may include, but are not limited to the following;

1.    Daily safety inspections by the operator and regular inspections by a service technician.
2.    Operator training in safe operating procedure.
3.    Hand tools such as backup boards, and jogging blocks to avoid placing hands under the clamp or knife.
4.    Two-hand start and two-hand hold of cut buttons.
5.    Anti-tie-down of cut buttons to force two-hand operation.
6.    Anti-repeat circuit to prevent continuous cycling.
7.    Collars or shields on cut buttons to prevent operation with another part of the body or by mechanical blocking.
8.    Hooded pedal for clamp operation to prevent accidental tripping of the clamp.
9.    Reduced manual clamping pressure.
10.  Provisions to lock out power to machine during servicing.
11.  Proper guards on all moving parts of the equipment.
12.  Safety bolt through the blade carrier to prevent accidental cycling of the blade.
13.  Barrier lights on the front table of the machine.
14.  Locking valve to prevent clamp from raising while blade is down.
15.  Plugs in clamp holes to prevent operator from putting a finger in the clamp while it is coming up.
16.  A positive brake to maintain blade higher than the clamp when in the parked position.
17.  All internal and external wiring to current National Electrical Code.
18.  Lines painted on the floor to designate operating area.
19.  All materials and obstructions cleared from on and around the machine.
20.  Machine placed a safe distance from walls and other equipment.

    Unfortunately, it is unclear which of these safety features are required for each machine, and it is undetermined whether OSHA will require retrofitting of all newer safety devices to older machines. As you may be aware, OSHA inspectors may fail to notice some safety violations in individual inspections.  In all cases, though, originally installed safety devices must be functional, operators must be well trained, and regular safety inspections are needed.

    In some cases, only minor adjustments are needed to maintain the cutter in safe operating condition, but some machines may have to be completely rebuilt to bring them up to current standards.  Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the safety of your paper cutter or if you would like to schedule a safety inspection or set up a regular schedule of inspections.
 
 

G B CUTTER SERVICE can schedule a written safety inspection of your cutter and advise you on upgrades. (909) 628-6886