Metal Cutting Safety: Essential Tips to Avoid Injuries

• One of the most important safety measures in metalworking is the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This includes eye protection, hand protection, hearing protection, and protective clothing. Your workforce should be trained on the appropriate PPE to use for their specific jobs and be provided with the necessary equipment. 
• Safety glasses and goggles are imperative for protection from flying debris, chemical burns, or sparks. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that about 2,000 U.S. workers every day sustain job-related eye injuries.
• Use the proper gloves for the task at hand and avoid abrasions, burns, and cuts. Metalworking pieces are extremely sharp and cause severe damage when not wearing the proper hand protection.
• Exposure to loud and hazardous noises are often associated with metal-cutting environments and can permanently damage one’s hearing. Use earplugs or earmuffs to protect you from dangerously high noise levels. 

Depending on the environment, workers should also avoid wearing loose clothing and wear garments that protect them from metal splashes, sparks, and radiant heat. In addition, using the proper face shields and footwear are important for protection.

When it comes to grinding carbide or other advanced cutting tool materials, the machining operation produces dust, debris, mist, or other harmful toxins that can contain metallic particles. Breathing this dust, debris, or mist, especially over an extended period can cause temporary or permanent lung disease, skin conditions, or damage to mucous membranes. They can even make existing medical conditions worse. 

Some of the best ways to protect from breathing or skin hazards include using respiratory masks. They are available in several types, including disposable masks, half-face masks, and full-face masks. Each of these offers various levels of protection. Depending on your application and the level of protection needed, respirators designed with filters can remove contaminants such as dirt and debris from the air while others purify the air with cartridges or canisters which can filter out chemicals and gases. 

Many variables affect machining operations and cutting tool safety is an important one. Drill bits, end mills, and taps can break or fail while being used if not thoroughly inspected or incorrectly used in a machine. So always make sure you use the tools recommended by the manufacturer and consistently inspect them before and after the job.

For example: modular milling systems are an ideal way to make sure your end mills are safely secure during milling operations. The clamping power of the system can prevent the pull out of the cutting tool from the chuck and prevent the spinning of the cutter. 

In addition, safeguard your machines to make sure they protect workers from injury. Machine guards can be fixed, interlocked, or adjustable, depending on the machine and the specific task being performed. It's important to ensure that guards are properly installed and maintained. Your workforce should always be properly trained on how to operate and safely use the machines.

Implementing a comprehensive metal-cutting safety strategy is a continuous process that should always meet OSHA requirements and protect your workforce. Since cutting tool technologies are always evolving so should your safety procedures. By maintaining standards for PPE, protection from breathing and skin contact hazards, and proper maintenance of machines and equipment, you make the right steps to meeting workplace safety and health standards and creating a safe and productive work environment.

For more information, read the applicable consult the General Industry Safety and Health Regulations, Part 1910, Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations.