Machinery Safety Best Practice

Vertical Mill
8 February 2012

John Crane
Vertical Mill

Basic Requirements
Anchoring
Emergency Stop
Guarding
Point of Operation
Power Transmission (Belts, Chains, Gears)
Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout Point)
Standard Operating Procedure
Risk Assessment and Training
Housekeeping (Trip Hazards, Tool Storage, Chips)

John Crane
Anchoring

Machinery
designed for a
fixed location
shall be
securely
anchored to
prevent
movement.

Packing to level Bolted down to

machine prevent movement

John Crane
Emergency Stop

A means of
emergency stop shall
be provided at the
control point and at
other appropriate
locations around the
machine.

Emergency Stop Button

Fully Enclosed Point of Operation
John Crane
Emergency Stop

Twist and pull to reset

The emergency stop device must be self-locking.

The equipment cannot be restarted until the
emergency stop is reset.

John Crane
Emergency Limit Switches

Telescopic antenna safety

limit switches automatically
disable the machine when
contacted.
These devices can be used
in addition to emergency
stops in the event an
operator becomes
entangled in the machine.
The concept is the same as
an interlock switch, but
works through operator
contact with the spring
antenna.

John Crane
Emergency Limit Switches

Emergency Limit
Switch installed
on a Radial Drill

John Crane
Guarding Point of Operation

Limit
switch

Point of
operation
guard

Safeguarding shall be provided to protect the operator and

other employees in the area of the machinery from hazards
such as those created by point of operation, rotating parts,
pinch points, flying chips.

John Crane
Guarding Point of Operation

Hinged
Guard
Mills, like pedestal
drills, can be easily
guarded with a hinged
shield as shown in the
examples.
Once the work is Full
Enclosure
positioned on the
table, a door, shield,
or complete enclosure
can be lowered into
place.

John Crane
Guarding Power Transmission

Power transmission
guard

Limit switch

Guarding of the power transmission (belt and pulleys). Note

the interlock. Alternately, fasteners that require a tool for
removal could be used.

John Crane
Guarding and Interlocks

Some guards may require interlocks depending on the

application, arrangement of the workstation, configuration of
the workpiece, or other factors.
Machines do not necessarily require interlocks to meet the
intent of the machinery safety standard or the intent of
regulations.
Only you and the operator can make an informed decision as
to the need for interlocking doors, guards, shields, etc.
You may also consult with you EHS Manager or Director, or
work with a third party machinery safety professional.

John Crane
Control of Hazardous Energy

Lockout Point or
Electrical Disconnect

If the unit is not

hard wired into a
circuit, a plug
style lockout
device could be
substituted.

Machinery shall have a method for isolation of hazardous energy

(lockout/tagout), including electrical, potential, mechanical, or
thermal.

John Crane
Standard Operating Procedure

Basic Requirements

Secure tool in the spindle

Store tools properly (away from machine)
Properly secure work to table
Remove chips with a tool, never by hand
Secure all loose clothing, hair, and jewelry
Remove and secure chuck keys
Stop the mill before cleaning the tool, table, or
workpiece

John Crane
Securing Work to Table

Clamps on both sides

Secured to table
with special mounts

John Crane
Securing Work to Table

Correct Incorrect

Workpiece

T-bolt method using channel in table

John Crane
Chips and Swarf

Chips and swarf must always be removed with special tools or a

vacuum
Swarf bins must also be handled with special care. Self-dumping bins
should be used and gloves must be warn.
Handling swarf, even with gloves, can still result in serious cut injuries
Use of compressed air may cause chips to fly and hit other employees
nearby. Only special air tools with chip guarding can be used.

Chips/Swarf Removal Tool

John Crane
Chuck Keys

Best Practice
Chuck keys with springs
automatically eject from
the chuck when pressure is
released
Key cannot be inadvertently
left in the chuck
Keys painted bright yellow or
orange may also alert the
operator of its presence in
the chuck

Key ejects from chuck

when pressure is
released

John Crane
Vertical Mills

Safeguarding Review
Belt Cover
Remote Station
with Emergency
Stop

Shield Disconnect
Switch and
Motor
Starter
Danger and
precaution
signs

John Crane
Vertical Mills

Safeguarding Review

Rear Shield

Front
Shield

John Crane
Vertical Mills

Safeguarding Review
Slide & Swing
Shields or Doors

Front panels slide and

swing aside exposing
the entire table.

Alternately, the doors

could hinge open to
180 if access permits.

John Crane
Vertical Mills

Safeguarding Review

Rear Shields can help prevent

flying chips and swarf from
hitting other operators or
personnel nearby.

Power
transmission
guarding
(shown with
door open) on a
Bridgeport Mill

John Crane