I recently started a new job with a company that uses a waterjet cutting machine for cutting out small volume parts from sheet (mostly aluminum and steel, but also sometimes glass, plastic, and other materials.) The company does many prototype and small volume aerospace parts and assemblies, whereas my fabrication experience tends to be higher production rates. There is NO safety guarding on the waterjet machine, which, I am told, could easily slice off a finger. It's not that the company ignores safety and health issues, since safety glasses and ear protection are provided, as well as good ventilation where required.
The machine operates under CNC control and runs automatically (much like a CNC Router or vertical machining center) making multiple parts from the same sheet once started by the operator, who will often pick up completed parts off the bed once they have been cut loose from the sheet to avoid being knocked about by reflected spray from the cutting nozzle. His fingers then seem to me to get dangerously close to the "danger zone".
Is this typical of small aerospace/prototype job shops, and is it even acceptable by OSHA standards? Does OSHA exempt small shops from safety regulations? I am hesitant to raise the issue with the owner without knowing more of the facts.
What type of guarding would be appropriate? Hard guarding could be obstructive to the operator trying to set up various jobs and proximity sensing would prevent his interaction with the machine in harvesting complete parts while the machine continues to cut new ones. Optical/laser guarding would not work due to the large volume of spray and splash at varous point in the cutting cycle. What guarding or other safety practices have worked for your waterjet machine?
Thanks for any info.
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Safety guarding for flat-bed waterjet cutting machines?
Re: Safety guarding for flat-bed waterjet cutting machines?
