This Press Brake Operation SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) sets out how to safely operate a hydraulic or mechanical press brake for routine production bending of sheet and plate metal. It covers checking guards, light curtains and two-hand or foot controls, tooling and bend programs, keeping hands clear of the punch and die, supporting long or heavy sheets, staying within rated tonnage, lockout with ram blocking, and responding to a person caught in the machine. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Sheet metal fabricators
Steel and metal manufacturing businesses
HVAC ductwork manufacturers
Trailer, truck body and equipment builders
Engineering and fabrication workshops
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Crush and amputation at the point of operation
Unexpected or premature ram activation
Uncontrolled ram movement from stored hydraulic energy
Being struck by ejected material, springback or falling offcuts
Manual handling of heavy or awkward sheet stock
Cuts from sharp edges, burrs and slivers
Entanglement of loose clothing, jewellery or hair
Noise from hydraulic pumps and forming
Eye and skin injury from fragments, scale or swarf
Foot injury from dropped stock or tooling
What's included
9 pre-operational checks, from authorisation and machine condition to guards and light curtains, emergency stops, hydraulics, tooling, the bend program, a clear area and two-hand controls
A 12-step operating procedure covering the work order, fitting tooling, back gauge positioning, hand safety, control use, supporting long stock, tonnage limits and repositioning between strokes
Isolation and energy control for electrical lockout, hydraulic depressurisation, ram blocking or chocking and never bypassing safeguarding
7 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for a person caught at the point of operation or a press brake that fails to stop
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Steel & Metal Fabrication SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it cover tooling changeover and die setting?
No. It covers routine production bending with established tooling. Tooling changeover, die setting, maintenance and repair are for a competent person under isolated conditions.
Can light curtains or two-hand controls be bypassed?
No. The SOP prohibits bypassing, removing or defeating two-hand controls, light curtains, interlocked guards or other safeguarding for any reason, including production speed.
Is a stopped ram safe to work under?
No. The ram must be lowered onto a safe rest or blocked with approved safety blocks, with hydraulics depressurised, before any part of the body enters the die space.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
