Contents:

• Safety Precautions When Using a Lathe Machine
• Lathe Machine Safety Tips

Safety Precautions When Using a Lathe Machine

A lathe machine is not a stunt machine. If you use it carefully it can be a blessing for you. But if you are careless using it… it can become a curse for you.

Yes sir! It is not a teddy bear you used to play with when you were a child. Be a man. Give your lathe machine respect when using it, and it will make your life easier.

Here are some lathe machine safety tips every beginner lathe machine operator must be aware of to protect himself against moving or flying parts.

Lathe Machine Safety Tips

• Whenever you clamp the workpiece in the chuck, always remove the chuck key immediately. It’s simple enough, but when you are starting out it's really easy to forget. If you turn on the spindle without removing the key you will have a flying key on the loose. It can hit your face, chest, stomach, or even the soft place down there.

• Never leave the machine alone in the middle of a machining operation.

• If you are not using the machine, turn off the power using the isolator switch.

• Never wear gloves, a watch, ring, long necklace, other jewelry, tie, or any other type of loose wearable. Such items can easily get stuck in a rotating chuck or workpiece while the machine, can cause you severe accidents or even life.

• Wear a boiler dress, if not at least make a habit of always wearing short sleeve shirt and tuck it in before you start working with a lathe.

• Do not use your bare hands to remove the chips, it can be sharp and hot. Get yourself a scoop.

• If you are a Lathe machine operator, then you should never keep long hair. And if you use the machine only occasionally, then always run the machine by tying your hair.

• Drop the guard into place before you start to turn on the spindle. It minimizes the exposure of rotating lathe machine parts and chuck.

• If you are using a pulley-driven lathe machine, then form a habit of replacing the guard every time after selecting the new speed.

• Never touch the workpiece with your hands immediately after you finish the cutting operation. It’s will be hot as burning coals, and will burn your fingers and palm. So, always hold it with rags.

• Wear safety goggles at all times when a cutting operation is in progress. This will protect your eyes from any ‘chippings’ that are ejected from any type of lathe machine.

• Never ever touch the workpiece with your hand while it’s spinning. The sharp edges and rough surface can leave a bruise on your soft skin. Also, don’t ever use a rag or cloth to wipe the part while the part is spinning. Turn that thing off.

• Never try to measure the workpiece with calipers or gauges while the machine or workpiece is moving.

• Do not try to make a heavy cut on a long and thin part, it could bend or slip out of the clamp. On the other hand, if the part is long and thick use proper support as a tailstock.

• If someone comes to talk to you turn the machine off and kindly ask them if you can continue the conversation some other time.

• Always clean your workpiece and cutting tools before you clamp it, dust on its surface may cause the part or tool to slip during the lathe machine operation.

• Do not stand in front of the rotating surface of the part, make a habit to stand right side of the apron.

• Get a pair of safety shoes for yourself and some worker's clothes (so you won't catch fire when the hot shards hit you because they will)

• Move the tool post at a good distance from the chuck when clamping or removing a workpiece.

• Never use a file without a nice solid handle. You'd be surprised how easily the bare end can go right through your hand. Especially when there is horsepower or two on the other side of the file, and you’re pushing against the direction of rotation. You have got to have the handles. and hold it in a way so if you hit the chucks the file slips out of your grip and flies down on the ground instead of upward kicking your hand or face.

• Always keep a first aid kit inside the workshop, which should be easily accessible to everyone, so that it can be used quickly when needed.

• Provide safety training to the employee from time to time, so when an accident happens in the workshop, instead of panicking, they know how to save their own life as well as other employees.