Personal Protective Equipment is MANDATORY when performing milling operations. Hazardous dust, chips and particles are an outfall of the milling process. Some electronic materials should never be milled like Berrylium Copper -- which in not only hazardous but will kill you outright! The cutting of PC Board material creates fine dust that if inhaled will cause cancer!

So just like driving a car at high speeds is not sane neither is CNC Milling without PPE. It is not only a matter of not inhaling the dust but also eye protection is important. Cutters break off and become a flying missile -- headed right for your eyes.

1. Use a NIOSH KN-95 mask when milling as this will prevent the inhaling of particles.
2. For Eye Protection wrap around Safety Goggles that are OSHA approved. Many are designed to fit over normal eyeglasses.
3. Gloves for hand protection and also to protect copper surfaces from the oils in your hands.
4. Set up a Safety Zone around the cutting area where you do not place any part of your body. This means keeping your face away from the cutting spindle.
5. Emergency Shut Off (EMO) that is easily accessible to stop the CNC when there is a problem --this is just another form of PPE.