Working in a machine shop comes with many hazards, many of which can’t be fully removed. Some of these dangers can lead to catastrophic injuries. Understanding these can help machinists to avoid injuries.
The onus for keeping machinists safe is on the employer, but the machinists can suffer grave injuries if the employer fails to do this. Two common hazards they face include:
Moving machinery
Moving components on the machines in the shop can lead to lacerations, amputations and crushing injuries. These can be life-threatening, particularly if there’s massive blood loss. This can be mitigated by using proper safety precautions and making sure that all safety features are in place. Machinists can also avoid wearing loose clothing because loose clothing can become caught in moving parts and cause injuries.
Noise pollution
Machine shops are noisy because of the machinery. Many machinists can slowly lose their hearing without realizing what’s going on. The hearing loss may not be noticeable until someone else comments that the television is too loud or that they’re having to shout for the machinist to hear them. Periodic hearing checks may prevent some of these hearing losses by catching them early.
Machinists who are injured at work should ensure they receive immediate medical care, which should be covered by workers’ compensation coverage. If the worker can’t return to work quickly or can’t go back to the machinist job, other benefits, such as partial wage replacement and vocational rehabilitation, may also be possible. These cases can be challenging, so it may be beneficial to work with someone familiar with these matters.