General Shop Safety Ferris State University

General Shop Safety

Safety Guidelines:

Please read over this Section carefully.

If you have any questions about the operation of any machine or tool ask your instructor.
Following a few basic safety procedures will assure a hazard-free experience for you and others working in the lab. Ask your instructor or open lab facilitator to assist you in starting up equipment and in fabrication and modifications of existing equipment. Practice common sense. If your not comfortable with the machine set up, don’t do it. Most lab accidents are a result of lack of knowledge, not carelessness. If you have any doubt, ask your instructor or lab assistant.

Lab Hours:

Regular hours: Access to the student lab is available during scheduled lab hours only.
Under no circumstances may work be done in the lab by one selves.
Students wishing to use the lab after hours must have a qualified person in the lab.
No more than 2 machine tools may be in use at any time.
The lab is not available on weekends.

Lab Attendance:

Students must sign in during open lab activities.

Lab Attire:

Every student is required to have safety glasses. Shop coats with short sleeves are recommended. No long sleeve shirts or long sleeve shop coats are permissible.

Clothing & Safe Dress:

Students will wear clothing appropriate to their work assignments. Clothing will be in reasonably good condition and clean.
For those working with machinery or in other hazardous operations, clothing should be well fitted, with no loose or flowing appendages. Sleeves, if full length, should be buttoned at the wrist. The practice of working without a shirt is not approved. Loose fitting clothing must be tucked in or tied up. Neckties must be removed.
Students with long hair who work around moving machinery must wear adequate hair covering to preclude the possibility of entanglement. Long hair must be tied back at all times.
Jewelry such as rings, pendants, necklaces, earrings, watches shall not be worn when they constitute a hazard, i.e. working around moving machinery, electrical or electronics equipment, etc. Bracelets and other loose jewelry must be removed prior to using the lab.
Unless working conditions dictate otherwise, students must wear shoes while at work. Shoes should be well-fitted with good soles and heels and of a style that completely covers the foot. Open-toe shoes or light-weight shoes of the canvas "sneaker" type may not be safe. No sandals or opened toed shoes are permitted in the work area. If lifting heavy objects you are required to wear steel toe safety shoes Safety shoes are recommended in foot-hazardous work.

Lab Operations:

All students who operate a machine tool must either have taken a introductory course of study or, through their prior experience, be able to prove their proficiency to the lab instructor.
The first step in preventing personal injury or machine damage in the lab is to make sure that you are familiar with and know how to operate correctly the equipment you will be using. If you don't know ask the instructor or other lab personnel.
How do accidents happen? Accidents are caused by inattention, taking chances, horseplay, bad judgment, fatigue, uncooperativeness, improper clothing, defective tools, etc.
How do we help to avoid accidents? By strictly following the safety rules given in the following pages and by cooperating with, and following any additional instructions, the lab instructor might have.

Safety Operations:

Safety Glasses: Safety glasses must be worn at all times in the lab when using machine tools (mill, lathe, drill etc.) and when using manual tools made of high tensile steel such as taps. High tensile steel can shatter and send chips flying.
Clothing: Rotating spindles can catch clothes, hair, gloves and jewelry. When using machines with rotating spindles, wear a short sleeve shirt or roll your sleeves past your elbow, pull back long hair (but do not braid), and remove jewelry (especially rings, watches, necklaces, and bracelets) and anything else that could get caught in the spindle. DO NOT wear gloves. Sandals are not allowed in the lab.
Hearing Protection: Use ear protection if you are using a loud machine. Foam ear [INVALID]s are available by request.
Buddy system: Never machine alone. There must always be someone nearby in case you get hurt.
Limit student access to tools and equipment. Students using machining tools and equipment beyond established working hours and during weekends shall be prohibited.
Provide eye protection to authorized machine tool users and visitors upon entry into a machine shop.
Report any job-related injuries or illnesses, questions on health and safety, or any unsafe or unhealthy working conditions to your instructor.

Training / Operations:

Do not operate a machine until you have been trained to use it properly. Other qualified users can give training.
Use appropriate speeds and feeds. Consult the Machinery's Handbook or other appropriate machining guideline.
Do not disturb someone while they are using a machine. Wait until they have finished machining. Machining is very dangerous and requires concentration. If you interrupt somebody they could make a mistake that leads to an accident.
The main fluorescent lights in the machine shop run off the 110 V, 60 Hz electrical supply and effectively strobe at 60 or 120 Hz. Machines that rotate at harmonics of 60 Hz will appear to be stationary. Do not reach for a spindle that looks stationary but is rotating.
Cutting fluid must be used during all cutting, machining, turning, tapping, and drilling operations to promote proper chip removal and prolong tool life.
Precision instruments (micrometers, rulers, etc.) should never come into contact with each other or with any surface of equal or greater hardness. i.e. Never put a micrometer on a metal surface. Precision instruments are ground very carefully. Any scratches on their surface make them less accurate and can make them useless.
Operate only the specific machines, tools and equipment they have been trained to use.
Report defective machinery, equipment and hazardous conditions to the lab technician.
Do not remove guards from machinery and equipment except when necessary for servicing.
Tool and machine damage must be reported to the instructor.
Individuals will be classified as "Authorized Users" upon completion of training.

Cleanup Operations:

Clean up! When you finish using a machine, clean the machine thoroughly. Sweep the floor and adjacent workbench surfaces. Coolant should be wiped off and all the chips cleared. If appropriate, lubricate the machine. Leaving machines dirty is inconsiderate and is bad for the machines. Coolant and chips can get into the moving parts of the machine and cause rust and wear. Refusal to participate in proper clean-up procedures will be a direct lose of lab use and privileges to those individual.
Do not use high-pressure air to clean machines. High-pressure air can push chips into the moving parts of the machinery and cause excessive wear.
Tools must be put away under the MFGT/MFGE system. You are not the only user of the facility. You will waste other people's time if you don't put tools away in the correct place. Return all tools, fasteners, and materials to their proper location when you finish work or at the end of the day. Do no leave tools out overnight.
If you are last to leave, check that everything is order. If necessary, sweep the floor and put away anything left out.

Food:

Food is allowed only in designated areas in the shop. Drinks must be in containers with non-spill lids.
Tobacco Products are Strictly Prohibited. Smoking and non-smoking tobacco use is not permitted. (Tobacco chew, Spit bottles, cigarettes, cigars, and all tobacco paraphernalia are prohibited).

General Lab Safety Rules:

Safety glasses, cover goggles, or face shields are required when in any lab area, whether working or not!
Shoes must be worn in any lab area. No one wearing sandals will be allowed to enter any lab area. The minimum footwear must cover the entire foot.
Do not operate any item of equipment unless you are familiar with its operation and have been authorized to operate it. If you have any questions regarding the use of equipment ask the area supervisor.
No work may be performed using power tools unless at least two people are in the lab area and can see each other.
Avoid excessive use compressed air to blow dirt or chips from machinery to avoid scattering chips. Never use compressed air guns to clean clothing, hair, or aim at another person.
In case of injury, no matter how slight, report it to the lab instructor. The campus emergency phone number is 911.
Do not attempt to remove foreign objects from the eye or body. Report to the student health service for medical treatment. If chemicals get in the eye(s), wash eye(s) for 15 minutes in an open flow of water before proceeding for medical treatment. Notify campus rescue at 911.
Machines must be shut off when cleaning, repairing, or oiling.
Do not wear ties, loose clothing, jewelry, gloves, etc. around moving or rotating machinery. Long hair must be tied back or covered to keep it away from moving machinery. Hand protection in the form of suitable gloves should be used for handling hot objects, glass or sharp-edged items.
Wear appropriate clothing for the job (i.e. do not wear short sleeve shirts or short pants when welding).
Do not work in the lab if tired, or in a hurry.
Never indulge in horseplay in the lab areas.
All machines must be operated with all required guards and shields in place.
A brush, hook, or special tool is preferred for removal of chips, shavings, etc. from the work area. Never use the hands.
Keep fingers clear of the point of operation of machines by using special tools or devices, such as, push sticks, hooks, pliers, etc. Never use a rag near moving machinery.
A hard hammer should not be used to strike a hardened tool or any machine part. Use a soft faced hammer.
Practice cleanliness and orderliness in the lab areas.
Keep the floor around machines clean, dry and free from trip hazards. Do not allow chips to accumulate. Any oil spilled on the floor must be immediately cleaned up.
Think through the entire job before starting.
Before starting a machine, always check it for correct setup and always check to see if machine is clear by operating it manually, if possible.
Do not drink alcoholic beverages before or during work in the machine lab area. Do not bring food/snacks into the lab.
Don't rush or take chances. Obey all safety rules.
If you have not worked with a particular material before, check the hazardous materials data sheets book for any specific precautions to be taken while working with the material. Also, ask the lab instructor before cutting any unusual material.
Heavy sanding and painting should only be done in well ventilated areas, preferably the back polishing area located in the rear of the lab.
Follow all appropriate precautions when working with solvents, paints, adhesives or other chemicals. Use appropriate protective equipment.
Check the power cords and plugs on portable tools for before using them.
Always return dirty rags to the crib attendant to be placed in storage container.
Only tools, equipment, and machinery that is properly maintained and adjusted may be used.
University-provided tools may not be modified unless authorized by a instructor.
Never use compressed air to remove particles from clothing
Compressed air used for cleaning work pieces must be regulated to 30 psi or less; Use the proper safety nozzle.
Always clean up the work area before you leave.