Additional Safety for Metal Lathes

1.CLEARING CHIPS. Metal chips can eas- ily cut bare skin—even through a piece of cloth. Avoid clearing chips by hand or with a rag. Use a brush or vacuum to clear metal chips.

2.CHUCK KEY SAFETY. A chuck key left in the chuck can become a dangerous pro- jectile when the spindle is started. Always remove chuck key after using it. Develop a habit of not taking your hand off of a chuck key unless it is away from the machine.

3.TOOL SELECTION. Cutting with an incor- rect or dull tool increases the risk of acci- dental injury because extra force is required, which increases risk of breaking or dislodg- ing components. Always select the right cutter for the job, and make sure it is sharp. A correct, sharp tool decreases strain and provides a better finish.

4.SECURING THE WORKPIECE. Make sure workpiece is properly secured in the chuck or faceplate before starting the lathe. A thrown workpiece may cause severe injury or even death.

5.LARGE CHUCKS. Large chucks are very heavy and difficult to grasp, which can lead to crushed fingers or hands if mishandled. Get assistance when installing or remov- ing large chucks to reduce this risk. Protect your hands and the precision ground ways by using a chuck cradle or piece of plywood over the ways of the lathe when servicing chucks.

6.SAFE CLEARANCES. Workpieces that crash into other components on the lathe may throw dangerous projectiles in all direc- tions. Before starting the spindle, make sure workpiece has adequate clearance by rotating it through its entire range of motion. Also, check tool and tool post clearance, chuck clearance, and saddle clearance.

7.SPEED RATES. Operating the lathe at the wrong speed can cause nearby parts to break or the workpiece to come loose, which could result in them becoming dan- gerous projectiles. Large workpieces must be turned at slow speedsAlways use the appropriate feed and speed rates.

8.STOPPING LATHE BY HAND. Stopping the spindle by putting your hand on the workpiece or chuck creates an extreme risk of entanglement, impact, crushing, friction, or cutting hazards. Never attempt to slow or stop the lathe chuck by using your hand. Allow the spindle to come to a stop on its own or use the brake (if equipped).

9.CRASHES. Driving the cutting tool or other lathe component into the chuck may cause an explosion of metal fragments, which can result in severe impact injuries and major damage to the lathe. Reduce this risk by releasing automatic feeds after use, not leaving lathe unattended, and check- ing clearances before starting the lathe. Make sure no part of the tool, tool holder, compound slide, cross slide, or carriage will contact the chuck during operation.

10.LONG STOCK SAFETY. Long stock can whip violently if not properly supported, causing serious impact injury and damage to the lathe. Reduce this risk by supporting any stock that extends from the chuck/headstock more than three times its own diameter. Always turn long stock at slow speeds.

11.COOLANT SAFETY. Contaminated cool- ant is a very poisonous biohazard that can cause personal injury from skin contact alone. Incorrectly positioned coolant nozzles can splash on the operator or the floor, resulting in an exposure or slipping hazard. To decrease your risk, change coolant regu- larly and position the coolant nozzle where it will not splash or end up on the floor.

-8-	Model G0554Z (Mfg 01/09+)