General Machine Shop Safety Checklist

Machine Shop Safety Quick links

Is the owner’s manual for each machine stored at the shop?
Are all machines that are designed for a fixed location (ex. drill presses) securely anchored to prevent walking, tipping, or moving?
Is sufficient clearance (3-foot minimum) provided around and between machines to allow for safe operations, set-up and servicing, materials handling, and waste removal?
Are machines properly grounded?

Is there a regular safety inspection of each piece of machinery or equipment?
Have maintenance workers received up-to-date instruction on the machines they service?
Are maintenance and servicing workers trained in the requirements of lockout/tagout hazards, and are the procedures for lockout/tagout evaluated or developed before they attempt their tasks?
Do maintenance workers lockout the machine from its power sources before beginning repairs?
Do maintenance workers have electrical plug locks or disconnect switches?
Where several maintenance persons work on the same machine, are multiple lockout devices used?
Do maintenance persons use appropriate and safe equipment in their repair work?
Is the maintenance equipment itself properly guarded?

Are guards in place to protect against point of operation, nip points, rotating parts, flying chips, and sparks?
Are guards positioned and functioning correctly? Guards must be affixed to the machine where possible, or anchored securely elsewhere otherwise.
Are guards in place for gears, sprockets, pulleys, belts, and flywheels?
Are coolant splash guards in place to prevent employee exposure?
Are machine guards secure, functioning, and so arranged such that they do not present a hazard themselves?
Are revolving drums, barrels, and containers guarded by an enclosure interlocked with the drive mechanism so that revolution cannot occur unless the guard enclosure is in place?

Are start, stop, and other operating controls within the operator’s easy reach?
Are emergency stop buttons colored red?
Is a standard operating procedure (SOP) available for the machine and located at the machine?
Is there adequate supervision to ensure that shop users are following safe machine operating procedures?
Are foot-operated switches guarded or arranged to prevent accidental actuation by personnel or falling objects?
Are manually operated valves and switches guarded or arranged to prevent accidental actuation by personnel or falling objects?

Robin McCall-Miller, Occupational Safety Engineer