Personal Grooming

Several accidents in machine shop are caused by careless habit of worker. The main causes of accidents are lack of correct eye care, loose or not proper clothing, personal grooming, horseplay etc. The accidents can be avoided by:

(1) Wearing safety glasses or goggles throughout working in machine shop to protect eyes. Glasses along with side shield provide better eye protection. Chips may fly to a huge distance during metal cutting operation; therefore it is essential to wear glasses. Many hand cutting tools are made of hardened steel that can break because of the excessive force; therefore it is wise to wear safety glasses in machine shop.

(2) Never wear loose clothing when working around any machine. Loose clothing may come among revolving parts of machinery. Therefore it is usually recommended that fold the sleeves of shirt up to the elbow and ties be removed. As well sweater with long hair should not be worn in a machine shop.

(3) All the time wear footwear in machine shop because the sharp edge chips are produced during metal cutting operation. Hence, it is essential to wear at least leather shoe to avoid any accident. Sandals and sport shoes don't present any protection for the feet and should never be worn.

(4) Long hair has to be protected by a hair net. Long hair may come in the middle of revolving drill. It is a reason for serious head injury.

(5) Remove watches, bracelets, rings, Jewellery should never be worn in machine shop, because these items can be caught in the machine and draw a finger or entire hand in the machine. If ring is worn by operator and heavy piece of steel fall on hand, the ring may bend and cut the finger.

(6) All the time avoid horseplay as the tools are sharp and machines are made of steel, which is hard. An accidental slip or fall can cause serious body injury. In several industry workers are dismissed due to horseplay as many accident has occurred in the past.

(7)  Never make use of compressed air to clean machines. Sharp chip can fly to a great distance while blown by compressed air. This can be hazardous to a person cleaning the machine and as well as to the other workers as well.