Chapter 11. Safety, Ground Operations, & Servicing

Safety Around Machine Tools

Hazards in a shop’s operation increase when the operation of lathes, drill presses, grinders, and other types of machines are used. Each machine has its own set of safety practices. The following discussions regarding precautions should be followed to avoid injury.

The drill press can be used to bore and ream holes, to do facing, milling, and other similar types of operations. The following precautions can reduce the chance of injury:

  • Wear eye protection.
  • Securely clamp all work.
  • Set the proper RPM for the material used.
  • Do not allow the spindle to feed beyond its limit of travel while drilling.
  • Stop the machine before adjusting work or attempting to remove jammed work.
  • Clean the area when finished.

Lathes are used in turning work of a cylindrical nature. This work may be performed on the inside or outside of the cylinder. The work is secured in the chuck to provide the rotary motion, and the forming is done by contact with a securely mounted tool. The following precautions can reduce the chance of injury:

  • Wear eye protection.
  • Use sharp cutting tools.
  • Allow the chuck to stop on its own. Do not attempt to stop the chuck by hand pressure.
  • Examine tools and work for cracks or defects before starting the work.
  • Do not set tools on the lathe. Tools may be caught by the work and thrown.
  • Before measuring the work, allow it to stop in the lathe.

Milling machines are used to shape or dress; cut gear teeth, slots, or key ways; and similar work. The following precautions can reduce the chance of injury:

  • Wear eye protection.
  • Clean the work bed prior to work.
  • Secure the work to the bed to prevent movement during milling.
  • Select the proper tools for the job.
  • Do not change the feed speed while working.
  • from the work.
  • Ensure all clamps and bolts will pass under the arbor.

Grinders are used to sharpen tools, dress metal, and perform other operations involving the removal of small amounts of metal. The following precautions can reduce the chance of injury:

  • Wear eye protection even if the grinder has a shield.
  • Inspect the grinding wheel for defects prior to use.
  • Do not force grinding wheels onto the spindle. They fit snugly, but do not require force to install them. Placing side pressure on a wheel could cause it to explode.
  • Check the wheel flanges and compression washer. They should be one-third the diameter of the wheel.
  • Do not stand in the arc of the grinding wheel while operating, in case the wheel explodes.

Welding should be performed only in designated areas. Any part to be welded should be removed from the aircraft, if possible. Repair would then be accomplished in the welding shop under a controlled environment.

A welding shop should be equipped with proper tables, ventilation, tool storage, and fire prevention and extinguishing equipment.

Welding on an aircraft should be performed outside, if possible. If welding in the hangar is necessary, observe these precautions:

  • During welding operations, there should be no open fuel tanks, and no work on fuel systems should be in progress.
  • No painting should be in progress.
  • No aircraft are to be within 35 feet of the welding operation.
  • No flammable material should be in the area around the welding operation.
  • Only qualified welders should be permitted to do the work.
  • The welding area should be roped off and placarded.
  • Fire extinguishing equipment of a minimum rating of 20B should be in the immediate area with 80B rated equipment as a backup. These ratings will be explained later in this chapter.
  • There should be trained fire watches in the area around the welding operation.
  • Aircraft being welded should be in towable condition, with a tug attached, and the aircraft parking brakes released. A qualified operator should be on the tug, and mechanics available to assist in the towing operation should it become necessary to tow the aircraft. If the aircraft is in the hangar, the hangar doors should be opened.
 
 
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