Thread: Shed machinery layout Information

Originally Posted by Brian45

Hi,

Not sure I'm in the correct section to ask this information.

Here goes anyway. Seeking information or where to find information for the safe work zone around machinery. For example how much room do you leave either side Bandsaw - Drill Press - Table saw and a host of other machines. Basically if I place a bandsaw down, the safe work zone then walking path before the next machine or workbench can be located.

This is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question.

It depends on how much room you have and how large your work pieces are. If you are working on 3+m lengths on any machine you will obviously need a lot more room than if you are working on 300mm lengths. My shed is small and chocka so all of my machines are within 0.5 to 1m apart from each other b ut I'm usually working on small stuff and with several of may machines on wheels I can move them around to share a common workspace.

Ideally and if you have the room then machines should be arrange to be able walk around them so to make it easier to access and service, and so as you can step back from them in an emergency.
Some workshops require two people to be able to pass each other safely on any walkway.

If you have unlimited space be wary about placing machine too far apart otherwise you will spend a lot of time walking and carrying pieces between machines. Another reason for having machines closer together is to shorten dust extraction runs.

If it’s a one person only workshop as close as your comfortable with.
If going to be used by others a metre plus between machines.
I was in a small shop with big machinery at Civil at USYD.
On the rare occasion the lab assistant was using the machinery I’d depart as he’d rush from one machine to another. He produced the roughest bodges imaginable.

In my own shop we had a workbench about a metre away from a 450 wide under and over jointer thicknesser with a basic jointer guard that stuck out 400mm or more with fence over for rebating etc. Even more when the dust collection box was in place.
So we took the guard off as you’d often walk into it.
Cost me the top of my middle finger on my left hand.
H.

Hi,

Bit more information I should have provided. This is looking at a men shed on a new shed build. Workshops plan to be split dirty with the major machinery and a clean workshop primarily assembly and workbenches and small machine like drill presses, tool sharpening etc.

Dirty Workshop will have table saw bandsaw lathes etc, and is approximately 130 sqm. Clean workshop approximately 100 sqm.

As for the placement of machines not really worried about the infeed or outfeed as there is to many variables in this, I'm working on say the non cutting side and the cutting side. I assumed this information would be available on say a work safe site or laying out for pro workshops. If it is not sure where to search.

When the plan is set will post up.

Brian

Brian, have a look at SA DE's documentation as it gives some recommended layouts and heaps of other safety related information -

Microsoft Word - 2003 06 06 Guidelines for the Safe Use of Machinery .doc (education.sa.gov.au)

The Men's Shed has its own manuals -

Men’s Shed Health & Safety Manual 2016 (mensshed.org)
Shed Resources - Australian Men's Shed Association (mensshed.org) (requires a login)

Hi,

Thanks, the top one has provided some of the answers I was seeking. I already have all the men shed info however thanks for sharing.

Now for some math's to work safe work floor space for all tool to see the size of workshop.

Brian