MAKESafe Tools

A Simpler Path to Safer Machinery

Drill Press Safety

Risk Assessment

A drill press risk assessments always includes a core set of recognized hazards and requirements. The discussion below describes each hazard, points out the related OSHA requirements, and makes suggestions for remediation.

While the discussion below addresses the most common hazards, a machinery risk assessments should also include an investigation of application-specific hazards.

Recognized Drill Press Hazards

Click on any of the hazards below to learn more about the hazard, how it causes injury, and any related industry standards or requirements.

Industrial machines coast and continue to spin long after they have been turned off. This coasting (or "freewheeling") can last for minutes and puts machine operators at risk as they continue to work around the still-operating machinery. Learn More.

Automatic and unintentional restarts happen when power is lost while a machine is operating. The machine then starts itself when power is restored. This is a specialized case of hazardous energy control but one that is not solved with typical lock out tagout procedures. That is why OSHA, ANSI, NFPA, NEC, and CSA all explicitly require means to prevent
the unintentional restarting of machinery. Learn More.

A nip point hazard is created whenever two adjacent parts of machinery move towards each other and have the potential to capture or draw-in foreign objects like body parts, loose clothing, or hair. These hazards are especially problematic because this type of motion tends to grab and pull an operator towards the hazard, thereby increase the severity of any incident. This is why OSHA has specific requirements for covers on drive shafts and belts. Learn More.

Contact with a drill bit can quickly lead to lacerations, and amputation.

Drill Press Mitigations and Safeguards

The following safeguards are listed in order of effectiveness, from most effective to lease effective, according to OSHA’s hierarchy of controls.

Engineering Controls

  • Install an interlocked motor brake to stop the bit quickly after each operation [OSHA 1910.212(a)(1)].
  • Install accidental restart prevention [1910.213(b)(3].
  • Install an ANSI-compliant emergency stop button [NFPA 79].
  • Use approved lockout/tagout means and procedures for all maintenance activities [OSHA 1910.147].
  • Fully guard or enclose all portions of the drill bit, except for the working portion [OSHA 1910.213(i)(1)].
  • Fully enclose all pulley mechanisms and rotating components [OSHA 1910.219(d)].
  • (if dust is generated) Provide interlocked dust collectors or powered exhausts [OSHA 1910.94(b)(2)].

Administrative Controls

  • Use fences, jigs, and push sticks during cutting operations to provide distance between the operator and any point of operation or nip point hazards.
  • Properly adjust the height of the blade guard before every cutting operation [OSHA 1910.213(i)(1)].
  • (if an OEM foot brake is installed) Bring the bit to a controlled stop before the operator leaves or reaches near it [OSHA 1910.212(a)(1)].

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • Wear eye protection.
  • Wear any other PPE appropriate for the task.

An All-In-One Solution

The MAKESafe Power Tool Brake is a plug-and-play braking solution that also includes anti-restart and emergency stop. All you have to do is plug it in, perform a calibration that takes less than five minutes, and you’ve added multiple machine safeguards to your drill press. See the product demonstration video and specifications for more information.

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