5 Common Safety Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Drill Press

Drill presses are commonly used in the manufacturing industry. Also known as pillar drills, they are mechanical workbenches with a powered drill. You can use them to drill holes in workpieces. Most drill presses support both wooden and metal workpieces. When using a drill press, though, you should avoid making the five following safety mistakes.

#1) Not Securing Workpiece Before Drilling

Never attempt to use a drill press on a loose workpiece. Rather, you should secure the workpiece before drilling into it. You can typically secure workpieces by attaching them to a vise or a similar clamping device. When secured, you'll be able to drill into the workpiece without fear of it shifting or otherwise moving around.

#2) Overlooking Eye Protection

Don't forget to protect your eyes when using a drill press. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 2,000 workers sustain an eye injury each year.  While some eye injuries are minor, others are more severe, resulting in permanent loss of eyesight. You can protect your eyes from injury by wearing safety glasses. Impact-resistant safety glasses, for instance, will shield your eyes from projective debris created by the drill press.

#3) Starting With a Fast Speed

What's wrong with starting a drill press with a fast speed? Drill presses are powerful machines. You can typically adjust the revolutions per minute (RPM), which will determine the speed at which it operates. A fast speed, unfortunately, may cause injury. If the RPMs are too high, your drill press may dislodge material from the workpiece that strikes your body. Rather than starting with a fast speed, start with a slow speed. You can gradually raise the RPMs as needed.

#4) Using a Dull Bit

Before using a drill press, check the bit to ensure it's sharp. Drill presses require the use of a bit -- just like most other types of drills. Bits, of course, can become dull. The more use a particular bit, the duller it will become. If the bit is too dull, it may fail to create a clean hole when driving into a workpiece. The dull bit may, instead, generate resistance that can damage the drill press or even cause bodily injury. You can protect against damage and injury by ensuring the bit is sharp before using the drill press.

#5) Wearing Loose-Fitting Clothing

You should avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing when using a drill press. Loose-fitting clothing consists of any garment that's designed to hang loosely from your body when worn. The problem with loose-fitting clothing is that it may get caught in the drill press. As the drill press catches the garment, it may pull your body towards the bit.