REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF LATHES
A) SAFETY GLASSES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN THE AREA OF THE LATHE! Failure to comply may result in revocation of shop privileges.
B) Know how to stop the lathe before you attempt to start the machine.
C) WARNING!! Loose clothing, long hair, personal stereo wires and jewelry may become entangled in rotating equipment leading to serious injury or death! Make certain that such articles are removed or securely fastened to avoid entanglement.
D) WARNING!! Lathe tools can be extremely sharp. Be aware of the location of the tool when changing workpieces, lathe chucks, or tailstock tooling. If you come into contact with the tool, you may get cut severely!
E) The chips produced in the lathe can also be razor sharp and if not properly formed, can be excessively long. Use extreme caution when removing lathe chips! Always use a brush to clean a machine. Do not use compressed air to blow the chips off of the machine or your clothes.
F) Excessively long lathe chips can bunch up, eventually whipping off of the machine. A person in the path of these chips will likely be cut. If you think your chips may be dangerous, stop cutting and get assistance from your supervisor!
G) Never attempt to measure parts or clean the machine while the workpiece is rotating.
H) Never reach over the machine while the chuck is rotating.
I) Before changing tools or lathe chucks, make certain that the power to the drive motor is shut down. Do not simply shut off the spindle. If you are not sure of the procedure for changing tools or chucks, ask you supervisor for detailed instructions.
J) The spindle must be completely stopped before attempting to change from low gear to high gear or vice versa. Conversely, speed selection within a gear range should only be done with the spindle running.
K) WARNING!! Make certain that the workpiece is securely clamped in the lathe chuck or face plate. Failure to check may result in items being thrown from the lathe causing bodily injury. If you are not sure if your setup is safe, have your shop supervisor check it out before you begin cutting.
L) Before powering spindle up, make certain that the tool holder, the carriage, and all cross slides will not run into the chuck jaws. Also, make certain all loose hand tools, chuck wrenches, chuck keys, and measuring tools have been removed from the machine and put in the proper location especially chuck wrenches.
M) Calculate the proper spindle speed and feed rate before beginning a cut. Make certain to use a proper safety factor for the rigidity of the set up and the condition of the tooling. If you are not sure about your calculations, ask your shop supervisor! Remember, lathe chucks and face plates have a maximum speed rating. DO NOT exceed that speed!
N) Make certain that; the lathe tool has been set to the proper cutting height, the proper rake and lead angles are set, the tool is firmly clamped in the tool holder, and the tool is not in contact with the workpiece, before beginning to cut.
O) Make certain that the spindle is rotating in the proper direction before beginning a cut, otherwise the lathe tool will burn up.
P) Check that locks are off before engaging the associated power feed.
Q) Know how the physical properties of the material being cut affect the way that cut should be done.
R) Be aware that “interrupted” cuts (tool scoops in and out of material) need to proceed at a slower pace.
S) Apply all coolants to the tool bit in a safe manner. The use of spray bottles is highly recommended.
T) Watch for oil or grease spilled on the floor. This is an extreme slip hazard and needs to be reported immediately!
U) If the workpiece begins to vibrate, or the cutter makes excessive noise, stop cutting immediately.
V) Do not attempt to take a heavier cut than the cutter or the workpiece setup can handle. If you are not sure what the proper depth of cut is, ask your supervisor!
W) Do not attempt to cut pieces having excessive runout. They may bend and/or break causing injury and damage!
If you do not know how to operate a machine or do not fully understand the instructions you have been given, ask a supervisor until you are certain about what is required. IF YOU DON’T KNOW, ASK!
In signing this statement, I acknowledge that I have carefully read and fully understand the serious nature of working with machine tools. I also realize that other, undefined hazards will always exist in the machine shop environment therefore, MY OWN SAFETY IS ULTIMATELY MY OWN RESPONSIBILITY.
Signature: ______________________________________
Date: ______________________
Student I.D. #: _____________________________
Print Name: ___________________________________________