Top 5 Safety Solutions for Milling Machines
Milling machines are powerful and efficient tools for industrial teams — with the ability to perform a multitude of large- and small-scale operations. However, machining tools like this can be extremely dangerous if operated incorrectly or unsafely.
This makes it critical for your company to ensure that your operators and employees are secure while using milling machines. At Stronghold Safety, we believe that, to put your employees’ safety first, you must remain at the forefront of new products and services that help protect your most valuable asset.
That’s why it’s so important to understand the essentials of safeguarding your workplace. To help with that, our experts sat down to determine 5 simple solutions for maintaining safety with and around your milling machines.
Top 5 Solutions for Boosting Milling Machine Safety
Milling machines are dangerous tools. Presenting friction, force, and heat, you must ensure that your operators are protected from these risks during their daily responsibilities.
In spite of common misconceptions, it can be quite simple and direct to address potential safety issues in your workplace. In fact, it tends to be much less costly and time-consuming to manage these risks before they result in injury, downtime, or worse.
Let’s take a look at the top five safety solutions for milling machines that help you to build a safer, smarter process in your workplace. Here’s a list of some of the most powerful, cost-efficient milling machine safety solutions available to your team:
1. Silvaflame Universal Milling Machine Guard
Milling machine guards are physical barriers that protect your milling operators from the hazards associated with the machine. These aren’t simply suggested — they’re required by law through OSHA machine guarding standards!
The Silvaflame Universal Milling Machine Guard is an essential product to have for every milling machine. This heavy-duty shield protects the machine operator from flying debris with a large visor and a rear shield.
With several diverse models available, it can be customized to fit a variety of milling machines. This versatility enables you to find the best options even if you oversee multiple different milling operations.
2. Silvaflame Milling Machine Cutter Guard
To protect your operators while they cut the workpiece, it’s advisable to install a reliable cutter guard. These provide physical protection from the cutting element of your milling machine.
The Silvaflame Milling Machine Cutter Guard is another important milling guard that can improve the safety of your operators. Its unique design encloses the danger zone of vertical milling machines.
The cutter guard is manufactured from sheet steel — with a clear 4mm adjustable polycarbonate safety visor for easy visibility. The shield is also side hinged, allowing immediate access for chuck and bit changes.
3. Safety Signs
Whenever there is a hazard in the workplace, there should be a sign to identify it and protect people from harm. This is true in every case, whether it’s to warn of a slippery floor or of the dangers of milling machines.
The Danray Safety Sign for milling machines is designed to comply with OSHA standards and rules, adequately warning people of the potential dangers of the machine. This polyester sign is 0.002″ thick with a high-bond-strength acrylic adhesive back by 3M.
This provides it with excellent chemical resistance and holding strength even at high temperatures (up to 350°F). Help fight complacency in your workplace by installing simple, economical safety signage anywhere that danger might be present.
4. Motor Controller
In order to intercept accidents before they cause serious injury, your workplace needs to have the right machine controls. OSHA requires all machines to have one or more guards in place to protect operators and other employees from harm.
This is particularly true for dangerous equipment like the milling machine. An electronic safety device, such as a Motor Controller, is an excellent addition to your physical safeguards.
Motor controllers provide start, stop, and emergency-stop functions for operators. This is vital anytime that it unexpectedly becomes necessary to stop a machine to avoid damage, employee injuries, or worse.
5. Safety Shields
Safety shields are another key solution for combating risks associated with milling machines. In fact, these compact and durable products are useful for a variety of machines that need extra protection.
For example, when you need to change your tools, you can move the Danray Snake Arm Shield into and out of the safeguarded position very easily. Furthermore, it’s just as simple to readjust the tool to fit various machine applications.
This shield is equipped with snake arms made of spring steel that is covered with vinyl to protect them from grease, oil, and other contaminants. The arms hold the shield in the necessary position, offering nearly unlimited adjustment possibilities with long-term holding power.
Safety Solutions from Stronghold
The safety of your employees should never be compromised in your workplace. By implementing the right safety solutions (such as machine guards and safety signs), you can reduce milling machine health and safety issues and maximize productivity.
At Stronghold Safety, we are committed to empowering you to create a safer workplace. From thorough safety assessments to our selection of high-quality safety products, we’re ready to create a customized solution to support your workplace.
As your trusted partner in safety, we’ll help find the ideal products and processes for your workflows — eliminating hazards and improving ROI. To discuss more safety solutions for complying with standards for milling machine guarding from OSHA, reach out to our team today.