Lathes Safeguarding : Hazard Prevention Made Easy
The metal lathe is a machine tool which turns a piece of metal on itself while a tool cuts into the material at a preset position. They are equipped with a chuck, which supports the workpieces and rotates at high speed. Operating a lathe can be dangerous as these rotating parts can catch hair, jewelry and clothing. it doesn't take much for a piece of clothing to get caught in and endanger the operator. Flying chips and coolant also present risks for the operator if his personal protective equipment does not protect him effectively.
Lathe Chuck Protection
The most well known and used safeguarding method is the hinged chuck-shield, which protects lathe operators from the rotating work-holder. This type of shield prevents an operator from touching the chuck and entangling himself with it, resulting in injuries, asphyxiation or even death. Electrically interlocked shields are the best option, since when the lathe chuck lifts, the microswitch detects it and stops the machine, which will not start up until the emergency stop button has been reset. Workplace safety is a major consideration for Prismont, and for that reason, all our lathe’s safety guards are electrically interlocked using safety microswitches.
Lathe Carriage Protection
There is a second type of safety guard for lathes; the lathe carriage shield. This type of safety guard protects the operator from direct contact with any wastes coming from the cutting tool, such as shavings and lubricant-coolant. Its anti-shaving partition must cover the rotating parts of the lathes such as the lead screw to prevent hair and clothing entanglement.
Lathe Mother Screw Protection
The lathe’s advancing bars can be very dangerous as well, as work garments can be snagged by them while they move. Lathe lead screw covers are an effective way to protect the operator from it. Made from self-roll up rolls, these tear and oil-resistant bands create a frontal segregation of the lathe mother screw and the advancing bars. When the longitudinal carriage moves, the two units self-roll and unroll, constantly segregating the lathe mother screw and the advancing bars.
A Safe Sanding
Sanding belt holder for lathes are another new and very interesting way of protecting your operators, as it prevents any entanglement with sandpaper during sanding, deburring or polishing operations on lathes part. Easy to use, this tool allows the operator to sand parts without using his hands, thus keeping hands away at a safe operating distance. By implementing a sanding belt holder for lathes, an employer can make a hands-on machine much safer for operators.
Safe Use
Another great way to prevent injuries when using a lathe is to make operators aware of the safe use of the machine. It will therefore be necessary to remind your employees to:
- Not wear gloves, jewelry and loose clothing. It is necessary to cover long hair.
- Not lean on the machine.
- Not adjust the machine or check the dimensions while the machine or one of its parts is working
- Not touch a workpiece until it has entirely stopped turning or moving.
- Not make a deep cut on a long piece of small diameter. Otherwise, it may bend and be thrown out.
- Not let the machine run unattended.
References
OSHA
Machine Safeguarding at the Point of Operation , A Guide for Finding Solutions to Machine Hazards
https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/2980.pdf
Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail
Machines à travailler les métaux - Tours
https://www.cchst.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/metalworking/lathes.html
IRSST
Dix machines dangereuses
http://www.irsst.qc.ca/media/magazines/V21_04/33-37.pdf
Entraîné dans un tour
http://www.irsst.qc.ca/media/magazines/V21_03/32.pdf