Product Overview

This Lathe Metal Cutting Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is developed to help PCBUs, supervisors, and workers identify, control, and monitor risks associated with metal turning, facing, and machining operations on lathes. It is a comprehensive document that consolidates multiple aspects of lathe metal cutting safety into one easy-to-implement SWMS to support ongoing WHS compliance on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe setup, operation, and shutdown of manual and CNC metal lathes in workshop and site environments
• Lathe threading operations, including selection of cutting tools, speeds and feeds, and control of swarf and hot metal chips
• Lathe venting work, including managing fumes, mist, and airborne contaminants generated during cutting and cooling
• Selection, inspection, and secure mounting of workpieces, chucks, collets, and faceplates to prevent ejection or movement
• Use, adjustment, and maintenance of cutting tools, tool posts, and tool holders to minimise breakage and contact injuries
• Control of entanglement risks from rotating components, including management of clothing, jewellery, hair, and gloves
• Management of metal swarf, offcuts, and sharp edges, including safe removal, collection, and disposal practices
• Use of cutting fluids and coolants, including decanting, storage, spill control, and skin/eye protection measures
• Noise, vibration, and ergonomic controls for prolonged lathe work, including job rotation and safe manual handling
• Lockout/tagout and isolation procedures for inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and fault-finding on lathe equipment
• Emergency procedures for entanglement, eye injuries, lacerations, and fire, including access to first aid and emergency stops
• Housekeeping, walkways, and guarding around lathes to prevent slips, trips, falls, and unauthorised access to the danger zone

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for metal fabricators, machinists, fitters and turners, maintenance workshops, manufacturing facilities, and site supervisors overseeing lathe metal cutting activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace – guidance on controlling risks associated with lathes and other machinery
• Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work – controls for noise generated by metal cutting operations
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks – risk management framework applied to lathe operations
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities – requirements for ventilation, lighting, amenities, and general workshop conditions
• Safe Work Australia – Hazardous chemicals information – guidance on safe use and handling of cutting fluids, solvents, and cleaning agents
• AS/NZS 4024 Safety of machinery (series) – principles for machinery guarding, emergency stops, and safety-related control systems
• AS/NZS 2161 Occupational protective gloves (series) – selection and use of appropriate hand protection for metalworking tasks
• AS/NZS 1337 Eye and face protectors for occupational applications – selection of eye and face protection against flying chips and swarf
• AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment – guidance where fumes, mists, or airborne contaminants are present
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017