Tips for a Safe CNC Machining Workspace

Feb 14, 2017

In any workplace, there are a variety of safety risks which employees must observe. When working with CNC machines, safety protocol is particularly important. CNC machining company employers should clearly communicate rules to its employees about proper safety guidelines for working with these high-tech machines.

Basic Safety Requirements

It goes without saying that a company and all its employees must follow the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) legal requirements. Furthermore, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) continuously publishes new voluntary standards for the care and safety of such machinery. A CNC machining company can comply with the latest ANSI requirements, as they often go hand-in-hand with OSHA regulations.

Safety Tips for CNC Machines

  • Schedule training sessions for new employees and refresher sessions for veteran workers, especially if OSHA or ANSI regulations change.
  • Routinely check moving parts in the machine, the path of its router and its surrounding area for any obstacles that could potentially impede or redirect the automation.
  • Conduct one or more trial runs of the equipment to ensure that the parts are properly calibrated. If available, use the lock feature to keep the X, Y, and Z axes still while running the program.
  • Wear personal protective equipment, such as goggles, ear protectors, and non-slip shoes. Workers should not wear loose clothing or jewelry that could potentially get caught in a machine with a rotating, reciprocating, or transversing motion.
  • Never use a piece of equipment that has a “Danger” sign unless a supervisor is authorized to remove it when they determine that it is safely operational once again.

Additionally, employees can study a brief history of CNC to understand the context of these powerful pieces of equipment. While consistently upgrading and maintaining quality machines and training workers on a regular basis may seem costly at first, it proves a necessary and worthy investment. A CNC machining company not only saves money in the long run, but it can also save lives and limbs.