Bench & Pedestal Drill

Risks & Hazards | Hazard Control | PPE | General Safety | Operating Safety | Maintenance | Safe Work Zones | Operating
Procedures

Introduction
The information contained in this SOP is general in nature.
Refer to the relevant manufacturer's manual for specific
operating information.
The YouTube videos are included as a compliment to the
information presented.

The primary function of

the pedestal drill and
bench drill is to drill
accurate holes in
plastics, metal,
manufactured boards
and timber.

The machine is
especially suited for the
repetitive drilling and
boring of holes.
Accuracy is established
by clamping or bolting
vices or fences to the
table and using the depth stop or graduated
feed.

The table is a casting which has a machined

surface. A centre opening allows the drill bit to
pass through. Slots are machined into the
table which allows a machine vice to be bolted
to it.

The height of the table is adjusted by means of

a rack and pinion mechanism on the column. A
depth stop is used to stop the travel of the drill
bit.

The chuck is the mechanism that holds the drill

bit. They come in two varieties: keyless and
keyed. The keyless variety poses less of a
hazard to the operator.

The keyed variety must have the key removed

after the drill bit is tightened into the chuck. If it
is not removed, a hazard is created to the
operator.

The V-belt and pulleys transfer rotary motion

and power from the motor to the drill spindle.
Drill speeds are varied by changing the
position of the belts on the cone pulleys. A
large pulley driving a small one gives a faster
speed and a small pulley driving a large one
gives a slower speed.
 Have a look at this - How to use drill bits ...

Identified Risks and Hazards

General hazards that may arise when
operating fixed machinery include:
moving and rotating parts (blades and bits,
tool disintegration)
movement of the workpiece
inhalation of fumes and dust particles
electrocution from power faults, faulty
equipment or incorrect use.
ejection of waste materials from cutting bits
burns from hot material or friction
hand and finger injuries from rotating
blades, spindles or pulleys
squash, pinch and crush injuries
swarf being ejected from machines
noise from high speed cutters

Specific hazards that may arise when

operating the pedestal drill and bench drill
include:
Drill’s speed of rotation poses a hazard if
hair, clothing or jewellery get caught in the
drill bit or chuck.
Drill bit and work being drilled can become
extremely hot. The build-up of heat can
damage the drill.
 A chuck key accidentally left in the drill
chuck may become a dangerous projectile
when the drill is turned on.
Workpiece can get caught or spin on the
drill bit causing a hazard to the hands.
Bench drilling can pose a noise hazard
depending on the materials being drilled.
Dust and particles can enter eyes.
Drill bit can slip off the workpiece.
Shavings formed when drilling metals can
cut fingers.

Have a look at this - Understanding Hazards & Risks ...

Hazard Control
All workplace hazards can be controlled to a
certain degree using a variety of methods. The
goal of controlling hazards is to prevent
workers from being exposed to occupational
hazards. Some methods of hazard control are
more efficient than others, but a combination of
methods usually provides a safer workplace
than relying on only one method.
Safe Work Australia - How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks - Code of Practice (PDF 368KB) >>>

There are six general categories of control

measures:
elimination
 (removal of the hazard or exclusion of
people)
substitution
(replacement or exchange with something
safer)
isolation
(separating the source of harm from people)
engineering controls
(mechanical devices or enclosures)
administrative controls
(work methods or procedures)
personal protective
equipment
(supplement other controls)

Have a look at this - Hierarchy of controls ...

The following control measures should be

included as part of the Safe Operating
Procedures at your workplace.

Personal Protective Equipment

 Have a look at this - Personal Protective Equipment ...

Pre-operational Safety
The following safety checks and precautions
should be carried out when preparing to set
up, operate or maintain a pedestal drill and
bench drill:
The isolating switch should be in the OFF
position. The machine must be isolated
from the main electricity supply when not in
use.
Check that drill speed is suitable for the
work to be done and adjust as required.
Check the condition of the drill bits. They
should be kept sharp at all times and free of
burrs on the shank.
All guards should be correctly fitted and
secured.
Check all adjustments and settings
carefully before commencing any drilling or
boring operations.
The drilling machine and work area should
be clean and free of wood chips and other
obstacles.
Operating Safety Precautions
If the pedestal drill or bench drill is not fitted
with a keyless chuck, tighten the chuck
uniformly when the drill is inserted and always
use the correct size chuck key. Remove the
key from the chuck before starting the drill
press.

Always select the correct drill bit for the

material to be drilled.

Do not attempt to drill material that does not lie

flat on the table. Irregular shaped work should
be securely held in a jig, vice or clamp.

Seek assistance when handling long lengths of

timber or sheets.

Keep the hands clear of the drill bit when the

drilling machine is operating.

Do not remove waste material from the drilling

table while the drill is operating.

Do not attempt to clear a clogged drill bit while

the drilling machine is still running.
Do not use the hands to clear waste material
from the table or from a clogged bit.

If the workpiece is grabbed by the drill bit and

spins, step away immediately and switch the
machine off.

Remove the drill bit when the drilling procedure

is completed.

Daily Maintenance
Daily maintenance on a drill press should
include oiling lubrication points, checking the
condition of the drill bits, checking and
adjusting the pulley belt and checking the
moving components of the work table.

Isolating and Lockout Switches

Electrically operated machines should be fitted
with a flush green on or start switch and a
red stop switch that has a raised mushroom
shaped head for fast emergency contact.

As well as start and stop switches, all

machines must have an isolating switch,
which enables the main power supply to be
switched off when the machine is being set up,
adjusted or when maintenance is being carried
out.

Have a look at this - OSHA - Lockout -Tagout ...

Safe Work Zones

The following Safe Work Zones for this
machine are derived from a state government
education authority guide.
Operating Procedures
The operator will have to had instruction and
training in the use of the drilling machine.

Always seek and gain supervisor approval to

use the drilling machine.

Wear PPE to protect the eyes (safety

spectacles) when using this machine. A hair
net or cap will be required to restrain hair if it is
long and contributes to the risk of injury.

Ensure all other persons keep outside the

safety zone at all times.

Switch off and remove the plug (isolate) from

the power outlet before fitting attachments, drill
bits, boring bits, hole saws or making
adjustments which require fingers or the hands
to be near the chuck.

Isolate the drilling machine before opening the

guards to alter belt speeds.

Do not hold the project work with the hands -

use a machine vice or clamps.

If the drill has a keyed (Jacobs) chuck you will

need to remove the chuck key after fitting or
removing the drill bit.

Do not remove shavings (swarf) with bare

hands - use a brush.

Do not reach around the revolving chuck and

drill bit.

Wait for the chuck to stop fully before

removing the drill bit. Do not attempt to stop
the chuck with the hands.

Do NOT touch the drill bit immediately after

drilling, as it will be extremely hot and burn
your fingers.

Ensure the drilling machine is operating at the

correct speed for the drill bit size being used
and the material being drilled.

Switch the drilling machine off immediately a

drill bit jams in the workpiece. To remove a
stuck drill bit, simply switch the drill to reverse
rotation or rotate the chuck by hand in the
reverse direction.

Clean the drilling machine and the surrounding

floor space when the drilling procedure has
been completed.

The questions in the SOP knowledge test are general in nature.

The manufacturer's
manual is to be used to develop specific questions relevant to
this tool or machine.

© Copyright 2012 - OnGuard Safety Training Pty Ltd Australia

Latest Revision Date: 25/ 11/ 2013