Hi all, I'm looking for some advice regarding pedestal drills (and other rotating tools) and the wearing (or not wearing) of gloves. Around 4 years ago, before I joined the company, an employee was seriously injured while using a pedestal drill, the injury resulted in the amputation of his thumb. He was wearing a welding gauntlet at the time, not using a vice grip and was attempting to drill 6 or 7 layered components to save time (stacked like playing cards). There was also an allegation that he had removed the guard to enable him to drill of 7 components at once - saving him time. In an effort to control the risk the previous H&S Manager introduced a 'no gloves' policy when drilling. I don't entirely agree with his policy - I do think the choice of glove was not correct but do think there are occasions when gloves could and should be worn. More recently, we have been experiencing an increase in the number of hand injuries from handling components being drilled, predominently due to sharp corners. I would be interested to get other peoples opinion on the wearing of tight fitting elasticated cut-resistant gloves when operating rotating tools, and specifically the pedestal type drills in question. The gloves in question are not loose and are unlikely to present any increased risk should your hand get caught by a rotating part of the drill (the aim being, to use other controls to prevent your hand getting close to any rotating parts in the first place!) What are others thoughts? Thanks in advance.

I also was taught as an apprentice not to use gloves when using lathes, pillar drills etc. I was also taught to de-burr metal after I cut it. Times change, cost cutting etc things are not done the same. (nearly said cutting corners, but if they did your problem would be solved). I would not want people to use gloves, but you could help minimise injury with a trip device for the drill. Looks like an old fashioned car telescopic aerial, pointing down by the drill bit. It will not prevent entanglement, but should cut out the machine to minimise any injury. Chris

So the workpiece/s, and the machine, are stringently clean and without sharp edges then ?

Sounds like you need to look at the engineering controls first, as Chris42 rightly points out perhaps you could consider a quick release jig of some type, failing this, as the last resort PPE. May be worthwhile contacting Ansell for some information on who your local rep is. I encountered a similar problem, and we worked in partnership with Ansell, through trial & error to identify suitable hand protection. There are gloves which are cut resistant, but are of asimple enough construction to separate should an entanglement issue occur! Would consider this as a first step, to contact Ansell, or any other glove manufacturer, they will want to help and advise you!

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. We use jig, vice clamps etc, where possible, but this workpiece was large which made it difficult to secure in place. The edges are all buffed but as chris42 indicates - I can't cut the corners (nice one Chris). Chris P - we sometimes use metalworking fluid but not always. The operators wasnt using it on this occasion. The cut resistant gloves have a nitrile coating over the palm and underside of fingers, with the entire top 1/3 of the finger coated in nitrile. This offers significant coverage but not sure of the breakthrough time. I will contact the supplier about this. I'm getting the impression views are mostly against the wearing of gloves while operating this type of tool.

Yeh, seen that Canopener. I agree with not wearing welding gauntlets..........too lose, bulky and big, and was a contributory factor in the accident 4 years ago. However, our 'glove of choice' is a tight fitting glove and you hand should never be near the rotating chuck (with guard fitted).

There was this one too. http://www.bbc.co.uk/new...land-merseyside-14020648 Gloves and pillar drills - No, unless there are VERY good reasons to accept introducing greater risk of entanglement. Incidentally the trip device that Chris mentions should have DC injection braking.