Milling Process

AS PREPARED BY:
TIMOTHY GALISIN
01BEHS-201005-00108
EHS 4163
INDUSTRIAL HEALTH & SAFETY 2

Introduction
Milling is the most common form of machining, a

material removal process, which can create a variety of

features on a part by cutting away the unwanted
material.
Milling is typically used to produce parts that are not
axially symmetric and have many features, such as
holes, slots, pockets, and even three dimensional
surface contours.
Parts that are fabricated completely through milling
often include components that are used in limited
quantities, perhaps for prototypes.

Types of Milling Machines

Factors that determine the finish required on machined

material by Milling machine

material to be machined;
type of cutter;
finish required;
depth of cut;
rigidity of machine and work piece.

Hazards Identification and Health Effects in Milling

Processes
HAZARD

HEALTH EFFECTS

CONTROL MEASURES

Flying metal debris

(Safety Hazard)

Laceration (open
wound)

Contact with
coolant fluid
(Safety Hazard)
(Health Hazard)

Irritation of skin and

Clean-up at all times to prevent
eyes
slips and fall.
Injury from slip and fall Wash hands to clean away any
coolant in contact with skin.
If coolant splashed to eye, wash
away as soon as possible to reduce
irritation to eyes.

Caught at nip
points of machine
(Safety Hazard)

Laceration

Secure guards in place before

operation of machine.
Pay full attention to the work
task.
Wear eye protection at all times

Remove any jewelry, watches and

rings. Keep long hair tied up.
Ensure guards are in place before
work task

Hazards Identification and Health Effects in

Milling Processes
HAZARD

HEALTH EFFECTS

CONTROL MEASURES

Changing tool bit on

machine
(Safety Hazard)

Finger
or
hand
laceration
Foot injury if tool bit
dropped

Wait until CNC Mill

machining operation stops.
Wear recommended gloves
Ensure tool bit is secure and
properly captured in place.
Wear recommended footwear

Cutter of milling
machine slip out
(Safety Hazard)

Injury if struck operator

Ensure the cutter is tightly

locked on device before
operation

Hot machined parts

or surfaces of
machine
(Safety Hazard)

Burns from handling

them

Ensure the machine and the

machined material has cooled
down
Avoid touching the surfaces of
machine or machined parts
while still hot to touch

Hazards Identification and Health Effects in

Milling Processes
HAZARD

HEALTH
EFFECTS

CONTROL MEASURES

Loose clamped
parts flying off
(Safety Hazard)

Injury on impact
with operator

Check that work piece is clamped tight

Conduct training for workers
Implement safe work procedures
Provide and use appropriate safety
footwear

Excessive noise
exposure from
machine
(Health Hazard)

Hearing Loss

Apply acoustic damping material in the

enclosure of the CNC machine to control
the noise level
Conduct regular noise monitoring
Conduct regular audiometric tests for
exposed
Provide and use appropriate hearing
protection

Hazards Identification and Health Effects in

Milling Processes
HAZARD

HEALTH EFFECTS

CONTROL MEASURES

Removal of stock
material from
machine
(Safety Hazard)

Cuts

Ensure the machine has stop and

powered down sufficiently.
Do not let the cutter cut into material
to stop it.

Visual inspection
of cutter
(Safety Hazard)

Injury from cutter

if shattered and
debris ricochet
(projectile rebound)
in contact with a
running cutter.

When setting up to work, check the

milling cutter.
Make certain all loose hand tools,
spindle wrenches, chuck keys, and
measuring tools have been removed
from the machine and put in the
proper location.

References
http://safety.uncc.edu/sites/safety.uncc.edu/files/Operating_A_Milling_

Machine.pdf , UNC Charlotte Environmental Health and Safety Office

(accessed on 23 Apr 2013)
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/metalworking/millingmachi
nes.html, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (accessed
on 23 Apr 2013)
http://www.mfg.mtu.edu/marc/primers/milling/millmach.html (accessed
on 25 Apr 2013)
http://www.liv.ac.uk/safety/work_area_hazards/workshops/milling_mac
hines/, University of Liverpool Health & Safety (accessed on 25 Apr 2013)
http://www.custompartnet.com/wu/milling (accessed on 25 Apr 2013)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucey6iFKxeQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bndrA18E4jw