The machine shop industry has grown significantly in the last three years, amassing more than $38.3 billion in industry revenue. Although the industry is showing tons of success, that doesn’t mean that those who work in a machine shop don’t have to adhere to safety rules.
If you’re stepping foot into a machine shop, you must learn about machine shop safety before beginning your work.
Use the Right Tools
Every tool has a purpose and place in a machine shop. You must use the right tool for the right job.
If you don’t use the right tools, you increase the likelihood of damaging the tool and possibly injuring yourself or others working near you. Using tools correctly will not only increase shop safety but will also increase your work efficiency.
Perform Tool Maintenance
Another rule for workplace safety is to conduct regular maintenance of all tools used in the shop. If you notice that a tool has become broken or damaged, it’s time to replace it or fix the part.
You should also take this time to clean all tools properly. When tools are damaged or aren’t clean, it can affect how they work, increasing the chances that they will break and no longer be able to be used by yourself or others in the shop.
Use the Guards
Most power tools come with a guard that should always be used with the tool. The purpose of the guard is to protect users from any flying materials or possible injuries that could occur.
If you’ve lost the guard, it’s recommended that you replace it or find the existing one before using the machine again. Always keep your hands and other body extremities behind the guard to ensure that no accidents occur.
Turn Off the Machine
When you aren’t using the machine in the shop, the best method of accident prevention is to turn off the machine. You should never leave a machine running even if you’ve not moved away from it.
Several things can happen when you leave a machine running, including causing injury to others or breaking. Before leaving the work area, wait for all moving parts of the machine to stop moving.
Study the Manual
Before using any tools in the shop, the first thing you need to do is learn how to use the machine. The manual will show you the right way to put the machine together.
It will also show you the proper way to use the machine. If you haven’t taken the time to look through the manual, you shouldn’t be using the machine.
Machine Shop Safety 101
Working in a machine shop can be rewarding for everyone, but it can also be dangerous. For this reason, everyone within the shop should always take the proper precautions before continuing with their work.
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