STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

LATHE (WOOD TURNING)

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1.
This procedure is limited to jobbing type work.
2.
Where wood is to be turned on a lathe designed for turning metal, coolant pump must be turned off, and coolant drain points blocked off to prevent wood waste
entering into coolant system and pump.
3.
Always turn machine off before making any adjustments to tool rests, etc.
Task sequence
1. General precautions

Identified hazards in task

Chisel jamming, breakage

Entanglement
Flying objects
Fire
2. Operator position

Loss of balance

3. Roughing cuts

Flying objects

4. Finishing cuts

Flying objects
Dust

Key processes to be followed

Unplug machine before carrying out maintenance.
Top of tool rest should be set up approximately 10mm above the centre line
of the work, and parallel to the piece being turned, and about 3mm away
from the farthest projecting edge of the work piece.
Turn work by hand to ensure that it has sufficient clearance before turning
power on.
Loose clothing and jewellery must not be worn when operating machinery.
Long hair must be contained to avoid entanglement with moving parts.
Keep other persons clear of machine in operation in case of breakage.
Keep work area clear of dust and chips, and prohibit ignition sources.
Operator should adopt position at headstock end, body turned slightly to
face tailstock end.
Adopt balanced position, with feet slightly apart and outer foot slightly
ahead of the inner foot.
Run lathe on slow speed until all roughing cuts are made, and work piece is
cylindrical in form. (Do not attempt to cut too deeply during roughing).
Re-adjust tool rest to maintain a close distance from the work piece.
Run lathe at a higher speed for finishing cuts.
Dust mask should be worn where fine wood dust is present in air.

Precautions / PPE required

Do not adjust tool rest while

machine is running.
No loose clothing, jewellery or
long hair near moving machinery.
No unauthorised entry.
No smoking or open flames.

Wear eye protection or face

shield.
Eye protection must be worn.
Wear dust mask.

PRECAUTIONS:
The following precautions should be
observed, and suitable safety and
warning signs should be displayed in
areas where wood turning is carried out.

SWP31 Version 2.0

ASSA Pty Ltd

ThisSafeWorkProcedurewasgeneratedon29/11/2013byASSAPtyLtdforuseonlybyCityofDarwin.

www.assaohs.com.au

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