Machinists are hardworking men and women who have significant responsibilities. Whether they’re making dies to cut holes for straws in lids or carefully crafting critical components for airplanes, these workers are exposed to various hazards.
Employers have a duty to keep these workers safe. Doing so takes a combination of properly functioning equipment and well-established safety protocol. While the onus is on the employer to ensure safety, employees should still understand the specific risks they’re facing.
Moving equipment components
The equipment that machinists use has many moving components. These are dangerous, so it’s critical that the workers in the machine shop understand where the “no zones” are so they can avoid those. It’s also beneficial for machinists to keep hair, jewelry and loose clothing away from the moving components.
Metal blocks
The metal blocks that machinists use for work can be rather large and heavy. They’re often sharp and will produce metal shards while they’re being worked on. Using proper techniques when moving those blocks and manipulating them during the machining process is critical to prevent injuries.
Loud noise
Machine shops are loud, especially when the equipment is in operation. Consistent exposure to noise that’s at or above 85 decibels can lead to hearing loss. Hearing protection and a program to monitor machinists for hearing loss are critical in this industry.
Anyone in a machine shop who suffers from an on-the-job injury should ensure they get immediate medical attention. Workers’ compensation coverage should take care of that expense, but some workers may need other benefits. It may behoove those injured machinists to work with someone familiar with these matters.