Machine Shop Safety

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is committed to providing a safe work and learning environment for faculty, students, and staff. This commitment extends itself to safe machine operation and use by developing a Machine Safety Program. This program includes procedures that ensure compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements as well as best management practices that reduce risk and ensure a safe working/learning environment. 

A wide variety of motions (rotating, reciprocating and transverse) and operations (cutting, punching, shearing and bending) by machinery can create a hazard to a machine operator. Recognition of the hazards presented by the machinery is critical. The most common machine hazards include mechanical, operational, chemical and electrical. Once the hazard is identified, it can then be addressed and safeguarded against. There is no single way to protect against all hazards, so it is important that a combination of approaches be implemented. 

Feel free to review the training slides posted below.