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Safety Rules for Drill Presses

A drill press is a versatile and highly useful piece of equipment. A trained and experienced operator can perform any number of tasks safely and efficiently on this equipment. Used incorrectly, or without the proper knowledge, this equipment can be extremely dangerous. For this reason several very basic safety rules must be remembered, and observed.

  1. Proper Location and Mounting

    • Anchor the Drill

      Prior to operating any piece of equipment, including a drill press, you want to be certain it has been properly installed. The drill press will be extremely top heavy, so it needs to be anchored to the ground to prevent tip overs and potentially serious injuries. You will also want to check the electrical connections. Is the cable in good condition? Is the plug free of defect or damage? The drill press will also have a cover over the drive belts. Make certain this cover is securely in place and undamaged. If you find any problem with any of these items, do not operate the drill press until the problems are corrected.

    PPE-Personal Protective Equipment

    • You should always wear appropriate protective equipment. If at work, your employer should have designated safety gear you must wear while operating the drill press. These items should include safety goggles/glasses, or preferably a full face shield. You should also wear an apron to offer some protection to your body. Hand protection is a potential risk with a drill press. Should the glove be caught in the drill bit, a very serious injury could occur before the machine could be turned off. In certain instances you may also need to wear hearing protection.

    Operation

    • Secure Your Work

      Of primary importance is the anchoring of any item you are working on. This is especially true of smaller items. If the drill bit binds in the material, the material could begin to spin rapidly. If you are drilling a square piece of metal, this could become very much like a saw blade as it spins at the same speed as the drill bit. Another key to safe operation of a drill press is to not over-torque the drill or drill bit. Drill bits can break or shatter, sending dangerous debris flying through the air. Go slowly, don't get in a hurry, and use common sense.

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