Lathe Safety

Name – turner machine, lathe

Installation

• Make sure the lathe has a start/stop button within easy reach of the operator.

• Make sure the lathe has an emergency stop button (e-stop).

• Ensure that the chip and coolant shields are in place.

Pre-Job Inspection

Lathes can be dangerous and fatal if not used properly.

• Read the owner’s manual carefully.

• Make sure you understand instructions and are properly trained before operating a lathe.

• Make sure entanglement hazards are removed (e.g. loose clothing, loose gloves, jewelry, etc.). Tie back and confine long hair.

Safety Guards

• Chuck Guard

PPE

• Wear appropriate safety glasses. It may be necessary for others in the area to wear safety glasses too as objects will fly off the work.

Operating Lathe

• Keep the floor free from obstructions, or slip hazards.

• Follow job specifications for the speed, feed, and depth of cut for materials being turned. Make sure all work runs true and centered.

• Centre-drill works deeply enough to provide support for the piece while it is turning.

• Secure and clamp the piece being worked.

• Adjust tool and tool rest so that they are slightly above the center of the work.

• Use a lifting device to handle heavy chucks or work.

• Inspect chucks for wear or damage. Flying pieces can be very dangerous.

• Remove chuck wrench immediately after adjusting chuck.

• Use a barrier guard when operating the lathe in semi-automatic or automatic mode.

• Guard all power transmission parts.

• Remove all tools, measuring instruments, and other objects from the saddle or lathe bed before starting the machine.

• Keep all lathe cutting tools sharp.

• Shut off the power supply to the motor before mounting or removing accessories.

• Stop lathe before taking measurements of any kind.

• Use a vacuum, brush, or rake to remove cuttings only after the lathe has stopped moving.

• Keep working surface clean of scraps, tools, and materials.

• Keep the floor around the lathe clean and free of oil and grease.

Don’ts

• Do not wear gloves, rings, watches, or loose clothing. Tie back and confine long hair.

• Do not lean on the machine. Stand erect. Keep your face and eyes away from flying chips.

• Do not make adjustments while the machine is operating. Wait until the machine has come to a complete stop.

• Do not place hands on work turning in the lathe.

• Do not use calipers or gauges on a workpiece while the machine is moving.

• Do not make heavy cuts on long slender pieces because the work could bend and fly out of the lathe.

• Do not leave the lathe unattended while it is running.

Incidents

Incident 1 – Operator tried to take some tools from workbench while the piece was still rotating

Incident 2

Lathe