When working in a machine shop, safety is always going to be a primary concern. This is especially true with advances in technology that allow for greater levels of automation and lesser levels of operator intervention. Since so many of the tasks in machine shops are automated these days, operators don’t necessarily have their eyes on the equipment continually throughout the day as they once had.

Sometimes a piece of the hydraulic assembly becomes faulty and/or breaks loose from the press. At the best of times, this only slows down, or brings to a halt, work in progress. At other times it could create a dangerous situation due to pieces of the press that suddenly become lethal projectiles.  Safety should be your primary concern and these 3 tips should also keep you compliant with OSHA guidelines.

1. Be Aware of the Times When Accidents Are Most Likely to Happen

Perhaps the biggest tip you can be given is to recognize times when most accidents occur in a machine shop. Statistically, this is when:

• Stopping or starting a cycle on the press.
• When positioning materials in the press.
• When removing materials from the press.
• When feeding materials into the press.

These are simply the times most accidents occur in a machine shop when working with presses and are not ranked as greater or lesser risks.

2. Provide a Physical Barrier Between the Operator and the Machine

The best way to guard against accidents when working with hydraulic presses, or any kind of machine utilizing pressure, would be to provide a physical protective barrier around the machine. It is recommended that for hydraulic presses you use high-quality milling machine guards in black mesh for ultimate safety. The black wire mesh allows the machine operator to see through to the machine for easy identification of problem areas. This particular mesh screen is also strong enough to guard against injury from anything that may break loose under pressure. While some smaller pieces breaking off could fit through the mesh, it is unlikely and standard safety gear and goggles could lend an extra layer of protection.

3. Keep All Work Areas Clean and Devoid of Hazards

While most people might not consider this a safety tip, it is probably one of the most important and least expensive to implement. Keep all floors free from debris which could cause a slip and fall while also keeping work benches and areas around machinery clear of anything that could cause machine operators to lose a grip on what they are working with. The cleaner you keep your work area, the less likely you are to suffer from slips, trips and falls.

Remember that when working with automation, you are in control only as long as you are at the controls! Because of this, always maintain an area that enables you to move quickly to the control panel if the need should arise and keep that protective barrier in place. Few machines ever announce the exact moment they are going to fail which could result in dangerous projectiles, so it is up to you to be vigilant. Stay alert, keep your area clean and follow OSHA guidelines and you should be as safe as humanly possible.