Introduction M achine tools are a class of powered equipment, usually installed in a fixed location in contrast to portable power tools. Machine tools typically have powerful electric motors producing rotational motion or hydraulic force. They often employ cutting surfaces.
Machine tools are capable of causing amputations and other serious personal injury.
Also, some machine tools use a lubricant to cool the working surface. This coolant is a potential source of injury and illness in that a spill could be a slip hazard, and bacteria can grow in the fluid mixture. Cutting oils present other health and environmental hazards and are used in certain types of machine tools. This chapter provides guidance to help ensure that machine tools are used safely. The chapter applies to everyone who uses permanently mounted machine tools, those who work in the vicinity of machine tools, and even those who just pass through an area where machine tools are in use.