While many basic safety principals have remained relatively unchanged over the last decade, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has initiated more rigorous enforcement of OSHA safety standards for mechanical punch presses. In addition to OSHA standards that mandate specific requirements for users of mechanical presses, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provides stampers with voluntary recommendations. Yet despite these resources there are still deficiencies and uneven application of safety practices in metal-stamping plants across the United States. While most stampers have a general awareness of OSHA, many are not as familiar with ANSI. Understanding the difference between the two organizations is important. Quite simply, OSHA regulations establish laws that employers must meet. The U.S. government can impose penalties if employers fail to meet these regulations. ANSI, on the other hand, issues safety voluntary recommendations that result from meetings and conversations among experienced industry suppliers and manufacturers. These mutually agreed-upon safety standards and practices are based on a thorough examination of each industry's needs, with the goal of helping manufacturers safely operate their production systems.
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