Metal Cutting Lathe

Location: Engineering Workshop

Safe Systems of Work

(SSOW14)

Risk assessment
(RA014)

No individual should physically interact or use this machine unless they have undergone
training and have been deemed competent by the Technical Demonstrators.
J.Woolsey

Product Design Workshop Risk Assessment

Location:

Engineering Workshop
Design Centre

Assessor:

Identification:

RA014 Lathe (Colchester)

Operation:

Use of workshop Metal Cutting Lathe

Risks:

Untrained operatives
Ejections
Lacerations
COSHH
Drawing in

Persons
Exposed

Students

Current
Severity
(S)

RESIDUAL
RISK

(RR)
(S x L)

Employees

x
Minor
(1)

Serious
(2)

5
4
3
2
1

Major
(3)

Timescale

Multiple
fatalities /
PTD
(5)

Fatality /
PTD
(4)

General workshop PPE requirements

Machine is barriered away from safe route
Good housekeeping regime

x
Negligible
(1)

Annually
(2)

Monthly
(3)

Weekly
(4)

Daily
(5)

No additional control measures required but consider

more cost effective solutions or improvements that impose
no additional cost
Efforts should be made to reduce the risk without
excessive cost implications

x
1

Visitors

Current
Likelihood
(L)

Severity
Further
measures

Manual Handling
Electrocution
Noise
Poor House Keeping
Heat

Only used by inducted/trained persons

Safe working procedure for the
machine
Machine is electrically and
mechanically certified
Fixed guards fitted

Likelihood

Current
control
measures

Jonny Woolsey

Work should not start until the risk has been reduced
which may require considerable resource allocation. If
work is in progress urgent action must be taken
Work must not start until the risk has been reduced to an
acceptable level. If it cannot be reduced then the work
must remain prohibited

Safe system of work to be close at hand for reference

SS014

Safe System of Work for the Metal Working Lathe (Colchester)

Risk Assessment reference: RA014
Description
This Lathe is used predominately used for cutting metals and less often materials such as
nylon. It is used for a range of one off machining, cutting and shaping. Specialist tasks and
skills are required for each individual setting up system.
System
Lathes are ONLY to be used by appointed/inducted person(s) . The workshop Technical
Demonstrators provides training and assistance to operate the machine.
Before using any lathe ensure that it is suitable for the task in hand, with appropriate
mounting devices/ chucks/ face plates, tools.
All guards must be in place and chuck keys removed.
Check the operation of the emergency stop controls before setting up the work.
The machine must be electrically isolated before carrying out any setting up or adjustments.
Cutting tools should be in good order and user should be inducted on their correct use.
Machine mounted cutting tools should be correctly fitted and rigid.
Cutting feeds and speeds must be calculated to suit the material being machined and the
size and type of tools being used.
Particular attention must be paid to secure mounting of work pieces.

When cutting metal is will be more than likely that a cutting coolant will be
necessary to assist with the process. The coolant reservoir will need checking and
the drain hole clear of any swarf. Coolant spillage could result in a slip hazard, to
help prevent this direct coolant flow to eliminate spillage where possible and use
spillage mat (Pigmat) to soak up excess coolant.
Always wear the appropriate PPE, which will include high impact eye protection/full face
shield. Dust masks may be appropriate when machining some woods. Gloves and loose
fitting clothes must not be worn during the operation as they can become snagged and draw
the operator into the machine.
Keep the immediate work area clear of obstructions and maintain high standards of
housekeeping.
J. Woolsey

Notes:
Lathes are normally long bed machines and particular care is needed in setting up long
components.
Particular care must be taken if the work piece protrudes through the headstock. Keep all
third parties away from the work by setting up warning signs and erecting barriers

PPE
General workshop conditions apply so Aprons and safety footwear must be worn. Gloves
should not be used in the actual operation of the lathe and long hair must be tied back as
this could lead to entanglement in the machine. They can be used in the transportation of
the material. The risk of ejections is relatively high with the motion of the material against
the cutting tool so it is extremely important to wear goggles, however full face shields are
suggested when using the machine. Dust masks should be worn.
Manual handling
Materials should be neither large nor heavy. Special care must be taken in multiple,
repetitive tasks that can include twisting and overstretching.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
The coolant created in the operation of the machine is documented in the COSHH file. The
substances used do not present a health hazard when used correctly.
Electrical Integrity
The machine was fitted in accordance with The Provision and Use of Work Equip ment
Regulations 1998 (PUWER). It is maintained by a competent person on a regular basis. The
isolation switch is next to the machine for maintenance work or in case of an accident.

If you have any questions or need training please speak to the workshop manager.

J. Woolsey

The original operating instructions for

this piece of equipment are available
for reference on request.

Further relevant information