November 30, 2001—The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created a special national emphasis program to reduce amputations in general industry workplaces. The National Emphasis Program on Hazardous Machinery Associated With Amputations expands the existing national emphasis program on mechanical power presses. This new initiative targets all types of power presses, including press brakes, saws, shears, slicers, and slitters.
The program applies to general industry workplaces where these machines are present. Companies with fewer than ten employees are also included, except those industries exempted from programmed inspections. The method to calculate amputation rates has changed. Rates for each industry are now figured using the number of employees in each SIC code. In the past, industries were targeted by the number of amputations, not taking into consideration the actual size of the industry. This new information will allow greater flexibility for regions and area offices to target and inspect the most hazardous workplaces. For more information, visit OSHA.visit OSHA.
