Deep hole drilling generates coolant mist like few other machining operations. The high coolant pressures, often exceeding 1,000 psi (70 bar) on gun drilling machines or 500 psi (35 bar) on BTA systems, atomize the coolant into a fine aerosol that hangs in the air and settles everywhere. I’ve walked into shops where a 0.5 µm particle haze is so thick you can taste the oil. A properly sized mist collection system is not optional. ...
I do a risk assessment before every new job setup. It takes 30 minutes and identifies hazards that might otherwise be overlooked. In my experience, the jobs where I nearly skipped the assessment are the ones that would have bitten me. I use a structured hazard register rather than a mental checklist because it leaves a record that can be reviewed later if something does go wrong. Hazard Identification The main hazards on a deep hole drilling machine fall into six categories. I walk through each category systematically during the risk assessment: ...