Preventing Machine Shop Injuries
With advances in technology for machine shops, the heavy lifting and handheld operations are reduced resulting in a much lower risk for injury. But without awareness and preparedness, there remains a high element of danger from chemicals, heavy or crushing equipment, and sharp components. Most injuries do not occur on CNC equipment which has many safety features built-in. Safety protocols are a necessary part of any quality machine shop, but they can’t prevent all injuries. We present a list of common practices that help in preventing machine shop injuries as a review for personnel and employers. Many are common to general labour and some are specific to machine shops.
Safety Guards
Most CNC and even some manual machines are equipped with guards. Many CNC machines also have automatic safety settings and sensors that will not allow the machine to run without guards in place. Unfortunately, people will be creative with their ideas to improve processes, and guards are sometimes removed. The number one OHSA violation in CNC machine shops recorded up until 2019 is improper machine guarding.
There isn’t an advantage to efficiency if the injury becomes a risk in any instance. Removing guards or system overrides is a dangerous practice. Review equipment to be sure proper safety guards are in place. Add ones to machines that don’t have them.
Personal Protective Equipment
PPE has become a household world over these last several months due to the pandemic. Proper masking with filters, ear guards, face shields, footwear, and other protective equipment are often necessary for a machine shop for very different reasons.
Many injuries of this nature don’t become apparent immediately, but cumulative exposure to noise, or inhaling fine particulates released in the machining process will damage internal organs. Personal filtration equipment is more readily accepted for chemical use, for example, because it is an identified hazard. Machine shops are required to follow minimum safety standards and there are numerous resources concerning PPE for the workplace.
Regular replacement of worn equipment is a necessary practice to ensure damaged or worn equipment is replaced for maximum benefit.
Staff Training
Staff training is a requirement of new hires but should also include training all staff on new equipment, and annual safety reviews. Safety training should also stress clean workstations and focus on basic safety like material handling and tool use, and precautionary care for minor injuries. The emergency protocol should also be included for every employee and reviewed yearly. Employees must be shown their value, but also must adhere to the values of the company.
Choosing the right tool for the job, ergonomic considerations for workstations, and even replacing worn tools can all create the right environment to avoid injury due to repetitive movement or improper positioning of the body. Hand tools can easily be overlooked when large CNC equipment is the focus. But tool training is just as vital since injury is often caused by overlooking the little things.
The material in a CNC shop can often include heavy components. Lifting techniques and material handling cause many injuries in manufacturing like back injuries, crushing, and even death. A well-trained employee is a safe employee.
In instances where a minor injury has occurred from material handling or tool use employees should also be urged to take the required rest time from work to avoid more severe consequences through the repeated aggravation of the injury.
