Safety Precautions When Using a Drilling Machine

When you’re using a drill machine –safety precautions should always be your top concern. Unguarded moving parts of the drilling machine and sudden release of energy from its parts system can cause serious harm to the operator, so it’s crucial to know the basics of safe drilling and practice them every time you’re on the machine.

Here are some safety tips:

• Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry, tie, or gloves when operating a machine—these increase the risk of being caught in the drill bit or spindle.

  
  

• Keep all loose clothing buttoned up, or tucked in.

  
  

• Wear safety goggles at all times when drilling is in progress. This will protect your eyes from any ‘chippings’ that are ejected from the machine.

  
  

• Do not operate the drill machine without guards or damaged or loose guards, as it is the first line of defense, preventing ‘metal chips’ from hitting the operator.

  
  

• Never hold the workpiece with your hands. Always hold it with proper clamps before you turn on the spindle.

  
  

• If you are using a pulley-driven drill machine, then form a habit of replacing the guard every time after selecting the new speed.

  
  

• When drilling, drop the drill guard into place. It minimizes the exposer of rotating items.

  
  

• If you change the drill bit, remove the chuck key immediately. If you don’t and the machine is switched on you will have a missile on the loose. The same applies to the drill drift when removing a taper shank drill, remove it straight away.

  
  

• Always use a swarf rake or scoop to remove metal chips. Never use bare hands.

  
  

• Never leave the machine in the middle of the operation.

  
  

• When the drilling machine is not in use, the power to it must be turned off using the isolator switch.