The current standard is ANSI B11.3-1982. Although the ANSI standard committee could not agree upon a dimension for safe distance, OSHA has established a value for it.
Safe distance is the distance from the lower die to the edge of the material.
Safe distance may not be less than the measured distance on the operator's hand from the juncture of the thumb and hand to the tip of the longest finger plus 1 inch, but not less than 6 inches. OSHA has not issued a directive concerning safe distance as it applies to point of operation safeguarding or power press brakes. If we may be of further assistance, please contact us. I, along with other members of the safeguarding community are of the understanding that power press brakes must be guarded under the requirement of 1910.212 of the Federal Standards. Others have also indicated that citations were issued on press brakes that were not being used at the time of the OSHA inspection.