Safety rkshop

It is important to keep the workshop tidy: a

It is only when you put into practice your acquired
knowledge of metalwork theory that you can be confi-
dent in the use of tools, machines and materials.
However, in the process of acquiring skills you may be
exposed to many dangers. Some of them can be fatal.
This chapter therefore examines the 'do's and don'ts' in
the workshop.
Accidents dn happen in the worlshop. It is essential to
observe safety practices to preyent accidents. Most
equipment and tools in the workshop are dangerous, so
it is essential that you take safety measures when you are
using them.
Mushroom
head
tidy place is usually a safe place. Keep all
materials, machines and tools in their Proper
places to avoid accidents. The foor should always
be tidy.
'Wear
an overall or an overcoat that is not loose-fitting;
loose clothing can get caught in the revolving parts ofa
machine. Always wear goggles or face shields, which are
meant to protect t[-re eyes from such things as flying
chips, dust, sparks and intense light. Use any special
protective clothing provided for the job, as shown in
Figure 1.1.
It is dangerous to use defective tools. Do not use chisels
or punches with mushroom heads (Figure 1.2); as chips
of metal can fy off the head. Do not use hammers and
files with split, loose or no handles, as they c:m cause
serious injuries (Figure 1.3).

Figure 1.1. Left Wearing special protective

clothing in the workshop. Figure 7.3 The dangers of using a file without a
Figure 1.2. Right Chiselwith mushroom head. handle: the tang of the file can penetrate the palm.

i.

|_ -t
. --
 2 Metalwork Technology

Grinding machine
Use the eye guard and goggles ro protect your eyes when
You need to undersrand how to use machines in the grinding. You can hotd imall wbrk in , t vice to
workshop before you handle them in practice. There are
""j
pleve,nt it from being dragged into the gap berween the
wneel and the tool rest.
precautions to observe *h.r'you are using the
lP.qci6t
following machines.

Drilling machines
Hold the work properly in a vice, and bolt the vice
when necessary ro prevent it from 'spinning round,. Use
You will. regularly have to lift various objects _ some_
times quite heavy ones. The lifting position should be as
dl protectiv.e guards on the machini. Nerr."r be tempted
to hold small workpieces in your fingers. yhoyn in Figure 1.4 to prevent inJu.y to your spine and
back muscles. Never. go ,o. or L..r."th suspended
loads; there is. always thi chance that they migfrt fail anJ
Centre lathe
cause an accident.
Secure yr* fr4y in the chuck and never leave the key
in the chuck before starting the machine. It is dangerous
toremove rfu swarf once the machine is in m-otion.
Make use of,if,e safery devices attached. ! cnrcK yorrR TTNDERsTANDTNG

This.chapter has dealt with the safety practices that you

Shaping machine
Secure the work and the vice firmly. Remember that
chips fly out at the end of every and they can
cause eye injury. ".iio.r,
Mi[ingmachine
Never make any adjustment while the machine is run-
ning. Do not apply coolant to the work with a brush
when the cutter is revolving. Keep your hands away
from the cufter when it is in-motio.r.'trrtilli.rg chips arl
sharp; do not clear them away with your handi.
should observe ro prevent potential dlrrg.r, in the work_
Y
shop. The main areas include:
-r.i.d
O Tidiness: how to keep the workplace neat.
O Protective clothing: what you should wear ro protect
yourself from injury.
O Using hand tools: always use rhe right tools for a
particular job and take care qfien using tliem.
O U. sing machines: the potendd drig.r, when using
machines.
O Lifting objects: fi...,4. posnue for lifting objects
to prevenr injury to the back and other parti of th.
body.

h:p..lh.at safety precautions will be accepted natu-

Y:
rally, but if in doubt ask!

I aewstoru exenar*s ^olpl ar_rEsrr4Fl

I Yly _should safety precautions be observed the
school/college workshop?
2 Describe how to keep the workshop tidy.
3 List safery practice when using the:'
9n5
i) lathe machine
ii) milling machine
iii) drilling machine
iv) grinding machine.
Describe how to avoid 'spinning round, when
drillin_g a piece of work on the drillirig machine.
i) lVhy is it dangerous ro use a chilel with a mush_
room head?
ii) Sketch a chisel wirh a mushroom head.

Figure 1.4 Correct posture for lifting objects.