[alexlaughlin]

Is it an industry standard that it is acceptable to hand polish a rotating part inside a CNC machine while in MDI or Spindle Jog? Does OSHA have a publication or standard for this? Has anyone here operated a business or worked somewhere that an employee was injured or killed by doing so? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[tc26]

I worked in a shop where a co worker lost a finger on a lathe.
He had a part in the chuck that had a flanged face with bolt holes through the face.
He was polishing the faces and lost the finger when it entered one of the holes.
I would have used a 1-2-3 block wrapped with cloth backed abrasive to do the job safely.

[ChrisW]

First is the safety on machine disabled.

Read the labels around the machine


But we all do it anyway (Polishing)

[alexlaughlin]

First is the safety on machine disabled.

Read the labels around the machine


But we all do it anyway (Polishing)

I know the machine manufacturers say not to in their user manuals and labels on the machines, but everyone does it, it's historic. Across the country there's no telling how manufactures polish parts while the machine is in a manual mode and turning. Is there a spec or procedure anywhere for doing this safely?

[ChrisW]

I talked to a guy who had osha training.
It is in the books about polishing

We understand it as the gray area of manufacturing.

[alexlaughlin]

I talked to a guy who had osha training.
It is in the books about polishing

We understand it as the gray area of manufacturing.

Do you have any idea where I could find some literature on this? I've beat google up and haven't had any luck on OSHA's website.

[underthetire]

I believe the OSHA standard will point to the ANSI standard. If machine is under a certain size, and has an automatic tool changing device ( turning center, milling center) then the spindle shall not rotate or be able to be rotated with the enclosure door open, or something close to that nature. It's not cut and dry, it has to do with size of the machine (large machines are exempt) and automatic tool changer, and a couple other minor things. I have the standards, just no time right now to look them up.
Machine Tool Specific Standards

[OddOne]

Is it acceptable? No.
Is it dangerous? Certainly.
Is it commonly done? All the time.

I use a screwdriver to act as a surrogate finger so I can keep the meaty bits clear of the sharp and/or moving bits. Did so earlier today on my bench lathe in fact. And later on hurt myself with a drill press instead. :nono: