The rules cover the use of all plate shears and power-operated mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic presses with an impact movement. They cover use in production or teaching for

• plastic or shearing processing
• powder pressing
• sheet metal cutting.

The rules also cover the technical design of older plate shears and presses, i.e. those that are not CE labelled. Such presses and shears were manufactured before 1995.

What are the risks?

Employees are exposed to many different risks when working with presses and plate shears, for example from

• the work equipment during pressing and cutting, where body parts can get into the equipment and be seriously injured
• hot gases and hydraulic fluids flowing out under pressure
• moving parts of machines
• hot surfaces on machines
• handling of heavy machine parts and heavy goods.

How to address the risks

As an employer, you are responsible for reducing risks with presses and plate shears. Here are some examples of appropriate measures:

• If you buy a new press or plate shear, it must be CE labelled and comply with machine regulations.
• Inform and train employees.
• Maintain and inspect the equipment.

Equipment must be inspected by an expert. As an employer, you must decide who is an expert. It can be a trained person within your own company or someone from a manufacturer or service company.

Arrange personal protection against crushing and cutting risks when using older presses and plate shears

As an employer, you must comply with the technical requirements that apply to presses and plate shears that were put on the market before 1995. 

Arrange personal protection so that employees cannot come into contact with crushing  and cutting parts of the work equipment. Personal protection against crushing and cutting risks when working with presses or plate shears can in principle be arranged in two different ways:

1. Build safety functions into the design of the press or plate shear.

2. Restrict the use so that it is not possible to reach into the tool, for example by using a shielded press tool for pressing work. This applies regardless of whether one or more persons take part in the work.

Note that significant conversions of presses or shears require the CE labelling process to be followed.

The employer is responsible for risks with presses and plate shears.

As an employer, you are responsible for reducing the risks of presses and plate shears, just as you are responsible for all aspects of the work environment. You must be familiar with the Work Environment Act and other work environment regulations.

Employees and safety representatives are important for a good work environment

Employees and safety representatives have an important role in work environment management. As an employer, you must give all employees the opportunity to participate in work environment management. For example, you can let employees suggest measures or provide feedback on measures you have implemented.

Employees' participation in work environment management

As an employee, you must participate in work environment management and participate in implementing the measures needed to achieve a good work environment. You must follow the employer's instructions. You must also report to your employer or your safety representative if the work involves immediate and serious danger to life or health.