Document K66eXyBg9eo3BkJ8DmjRk6MGQ

MACHINE TOOLS the functions of two or more basic groups There are insufficient statistical data to make a conclusive evaluation of the hazards of machine tools Injuries resulting from machine tool operations are reported less frequently than injuries from power presses or metal shears, but still present some of the more senous problems in the metal products industries General Safety Rules The greatest emphasis and dependence, nevertheless, must be placed upon safe op eration A policy to eliminate unsafe prac tices which result m operator injury should be established and should include these pro visions' 1 Operation, adjustment, and repair of any machine tool must be restricted to experi enced and trained personnel or appren tices under close supervision 2 Safe work procedures must be estab lished, and short cuts and chance-taking prohibited. 3 Supervisors must be responsible for the enforcement of this policy and for mak ing certain that no deviation from points 1 and 2 is permitted Maintenance personnel and repairmen should comply with this three-point policy. A tool rack should be provided for the convenience of the operator, repairmen, and maintenance personnel. All wrenches and tools needed for operation or adjustment should be included as standard equipment The Notional Electrical Code* and the National Electrical Safety Code** should govern the installation of electrical circuits and switches Rheostats should be enclosed In addition to the electrical controls in stalled on machine tools by the manufactur er, each machine should have a disconnect switch that can be locked in the "off" posi tion to isolate the machine from the power source No maintenance or repair should be per mitted on any machine unless its disconnect switch has been shut off, locked m the "ofT position, and tagged The following general rules apply to the safe operation of any machine tool 2 Operators should not wear loose-fitting clothing, especially loose sleeves and cuffs of shirts or jackets, and neckties. 3. All operators of machine took should wear eye protection. 4. Throwing refuse or spitting in the ma chine tool coolant should not be allowed because such actions foul the coolant and may spread disease. 5 Adjusting and gauging (calipering) of work should not be permitted while the machine is in operation 6 Operators should use brushes or special took for removing chips. One of the major causes of eye accidents on all machine took and especially on drill ing equipment is mdiscriminate use of high pressure compressed air to blow chips from machines or workers' clothing It k much safer and just as practicable in most cases to remove die air line and pro vide each machine with a brush for the re moval of chips Brushes provided for this purpose should not have a loop of cord or anything like it m the end of the handle, because a finger can get caught in the loop and be drawn into the point of operation with the brush In the relatively few cases in which neither a brush nor a vacuum system proves practicable, it may be necessary to continue the use of air. The line pressure should be as low as possible--many companies have found a nozzle pressure of 10 to 15 psi suffi cient for most operations. In any case, the operation should be isolated so that other employees are not endangered. Baffles should be placed around the machine. Only reliable and trained employees should be permitted to use compressed air, and they should wear cup-tjqpe goggles while using air lines Many employees use compressed air to blow dust or dirt off their clothing or out of then hair. Damage to ears and eyes is likely to occur. This practice should he stopped, and brushes or vacuum equipment provided for the purpose. 'National Fire Protection Association, 60 Batterymarch St, Boston NFPA Stand ard No 70. 1. All machines should be shut off when the National Bureau of Standards, Wash operator leaves the machine. ington, D.C. NBS Handbook H30. 24-2