What safety precautions are needed when using a hydraulic press?

A hydraulic press is a device that uses liquid pressure transmission to perform processing operations. It is widely used in industrial production processes such as metal forming, plastic pressing, rubber vulcanization, and powder metallurgy. Due to its high operating pressure, complex structure, numerous moving parts, and high energy density, neglecting safety precautions during operation can easily lead to equipment damage, personal injury, and even serious accidents. Therefore, formulating and implementing strict safety precautions is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring the safety of operators and safe production in enterprises. This article will systematically explain safety precautions for hydraulic presses, covering multiple aspects including equipment operation, maintenance, technical management, and personnel training, aiming to comprehensively improve the safety management of hydraulic presses.

Pre-Operation Safety Preparations
Before putting a hydraulic press into operation, ensure that all preparations are complete and thorough to prevent safety accidents caused by negligence.
Equipment Inspection
Operators must conduct a comprehensive inspection of the hydraulic press, including ensuring the normal oil level, oil quality, piping integrity, reliable grounding, and the sensitivity and effectiveness of buttons and limit switches. Any abnormalities discovered must be promptly corrected; operating the equipment with defects is strictly prohibited. Clean the Work Environment
The work area should be clean and tidy, free of oil, water, and debris to prevent slips and trips. Clear warning signs should be posted in the work area, prohibiting non-operating personnel from entering.
Personal Protective Equipment
Operators must wear labor protection equipment as required, such as protective gloves, protective shoes, hard hats, and tight-fitting work clothes. Wearing slippers, skirts, or jewelry while working is strictly prohibited.
Familiarize yourself with operating procedures
All operators must undergo specialized training to master the hydraulic press's operating principles, operating procedures, and emergency response measures, and pass an assessment to obtain an operator qualification certificate.

Safety Precautions During Operation
Safety management during hydraulic press operation is a key step in preventing accidents and must be given high priority.
Strictly follow operating procedures.
Operators must not change programs or parameters without authorization, and illegal operations are strictly prohibited. Operators must be accurate and decisive when operating buttons and handles to avoid damage to the equipment or personal injury caused by improper operation.
Use of Two-Hand Control Devices
To prevent injuries caused by hands entering the mold area, hydraulic presses should be equipped with a two-hand control device to ensure that the operator's hands are in a safe area before starting the machine. This design must not be altered or short-circuited.
Install Safety Devices
Safety devices such as light curtains, safety doors, and guardrails should be installed in areas where the slide moves and in areas where the mold is at risk. If anyone accidentally enters, the equipment must be immediately shut down.
Mold Installation and Replacement Safety
When installing, replacing, or adjusting the mold, the power must be disconnected, the pressure must be released, and the machine must be shut down. Use lifting equipment to assist with the operation to prevent the mold from falling and injuring anyone. Also, ensure the mold is securely fastened to prevent it from falling or shifting.
Avoid Overload Operation
Hydraulic presses must not operate beyond their rated pressure and tonnage to prevent problems such as equipment loss of control, oil pipe rupture, and support structure deformation. If abnormal pressure is detected, the machine must be shut down immediately and the cause investigated.
Promptly Address Abnormalities
If abnormalities such as unusual noise, vibration, leakage, or button malfunction occur during operation, the machine must be shut down immediately for inspection. Operation with faults is strictly prohibited.

Safety Measures During Maintenance
Daily maintenance and regular inspections of hydraulic presses are equally important for equipment and personnel safety. Systems and standardized procedures must be implemented. Regular Maintenance System
A maintenance plan should be established for the equipment, including regular inspection and maintenance of the hydraulic system, transmission mechanism, and electrical control system, including hydraulic oil replacement, filter cleaning, and seal inspection.
Maintain power off and pressure relief during maintenance.
All maintenance work must be performed only after the equipment is completely powered off and the system pressure is relieved. This prevents accidents caused by accidental startup or residual pressure.
Maintenance personnel must be certified.
Maintenance work must be performed by professional technicians. Unqualified personnel are prohibited from disassembling or adjusting the equipment. The hydraulic system's principles and structure must be familiar to the technicians.
Use qualified parts and tools. Replacement parts must be made with genuine or certified parts. Repair tools must be reliable and compliant. The use of substandard parts or makeshift tools is strictly prohibited.
Perform a test run after maintenance. After maintenance work is completed, a no-load test run must be conducted to confirm smooth operation, sensitive controls, and effective protective devices before resuming production.

Management System and Technical Support
Establishing a comprehensive safety management system and technical support system is the institutional guarantee for the safe operation of hydraulic presses. Institutionalize Safety Operating Procedures
Develop practical operating procedures, safety checklists, and emergency response plans, and post them in a conspicuous location near the equipment for easy compliance by operators.
Daily Inspection and Patrol Records
Assign dedicated personnel to regularly inspect the hydraulic press and promptly address any problems discovered. All inspection and maintenance records should be carefully recorded and archived for easy reference.
Safety Technology Upgrades
As technology advances, hydraulic presses should be continuously upgraded for safety, such as adding intelligent monitoring systems, temperature and pressure alarms, and remote emergency stop buttons, to enhance safety precautions.
Accident Reporting and Analysis Mechanism
Once a safety accident or dangerous situation occurs, it should be reported immediately, investigated, and the cause analyzed, with corrective measures developed to prevent similar problems from recurring.

Personnel Training and Safety Awareness Enhancement
People are the most active factor in safe production. Improving personnel quality and safety awareness is crucial for ensuring safe production.
Pre-job Training and Refresher Training System
All operators must undergo pre-job training to master equipment structure, operating skills, and emergency response capabilities. Those who have not operated for a long time should receive retraining to ensure proficiency. Conduct safety education activities.
Regularly organize safety education lectures, accident case analysis, and safety drills to enhance employees' safety awareness and their ability to respond to emergencies.
Equally emphasize incentives and penalties.
Employees who actively participate in safety management and provide reasonable suggestions will be rewarded. Those who violate operational regulations or neglect their duties will be dealt with seriously in accordance with laws and regulations, thus establishing an effective incentive and constraint mechanism.

Protective Measures for Special Working Conditions
Using hydraulic presses in certain special operating scenarios, such as high temperature, high humidity, low temperature, or in flammable and explosive environments, requires additional safety measures.
Fire and Explosion Prevention Measures
When using hydraulic presses in environments with combustible dust or gas, explosion-proof electrical components must be used and the equipment must be properly grounded to prevent ignition from static electricity.
Environmental Ventilation and Temperature Control
Ensure good ventilation in the working environment to prevent vaporization or spontaneous combustion of hydraulic oil due to excessive temperatures. Install cooling or heating systems, if necessary, to maintain the equipment at a reasonable operating temperature.
Remote Control and Monitoring
When working in hazardous areas, remote control should be used to minimize direct contact and enhance safety.

 Conclusion
As high-power, high-precision industrial equipment, the safe operation of a hydraulic press involves multiple aspects. Only by comprehensively implementing safety precautions, including source control, process management, system guarantees, and personnel training, can accidents be effectively prevented, ensuring the safety of operators and the smooth operation of the enterprise. Safety is no small matter, and responsibility is paramount. Everyone working with hydraulic presses should maintain a respectful attitude, strictly adhere to regulations, and work together to build a solid defense for the safe operation of hydraulic presses.