Job questions

Any machinists or toolmakers out there? I just had a pacemaker put in and I looked on the web for info on EMI in a machine shop environment. Best I could come up with is that I shouldn't run a chain saw. Not much help. The EDM manufacturers say they don't reccomend anyone with a pacemaker to operate an EDM machine. But what about surface grinders with electro-magnetic chucks? How close can I get? What about Mills and Lathes? Or sonic cleaning tanks. Or even die grinders? Where can I find out if a pacemaker has ended my 40 year career as a toolmaker? I dont fancy loosing my job and house ect... but I guess it's better than being dead. rsmith6427@att.net Roch Smith

4 Comments

I wondered about changing careers

by Bionic Man - 2009-11-09 07:11:42

I'm an electromechanical technician. I work repairing all types of machinery. I used to setup centerless grinders. They never bothered me until I got too close to the motor. I felt a little dizzy. When I backed off a little the dizziness went away. We have a small EDM machine where I work. It has never bothered me. Ultrasonic Cleaners don't bother me either. I did get too close to a compressor on a vapor degreaser. I immediately became dizzy until I moved away. Like most manufacturing jobs in this country, mine is going out of the country. More than likely I'll be moved into our other building to maintain injection molding machines. I'm not sure if I can go near these machines. I'll know within minutes if I can work near them or not. Hopefully things will work out. As long as your not getting too close to the motors I think you'll be fine.
Good Luck,
Bob

proximity

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-09 09:11:59

Pacemakers have a backup or test mode. It has a little valve in it. When a magnet is placed over it, the valve closes and it goes into test mode with limited function. This is what happens when they do our checkups. Some people feel it, some do not. To me it feels like when an elevator stops, not really dizzy but not exactly normal either.

If you get too close to a magnet, you will go into this mode until you step away from it. Once you remove yourself from the magnet, it'll go back to full function with no harm done. So, you wouldn't want to work near something that puts you into this mode, but if you get too close to something inadvertently you'll know easily enough, and you'll be fine as soon as you get away from it. The rule of thumb for most things is 6", but industrial magnets are a lot stronger so I don't know how far you'd need to stay from them.

search

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-09 10:11:39

Magnets are bad. Sonic cleaners are ok. I'm not sure about the others but the question has been asked before, if you do a search you should be able to find the answers.

links

by Tracey_E - 2009-11-09 11:11:08

try these
http://www.pacemakerclub.com/public/jpage/1/p/story/a/storypage/sid/5100/content.do

http://www.pacemakerclub.com/public/jpage/1/p/story/a/storypage/sid/13739/content.do

http://www.pacemakerclub.com/public/jpage/1/p/story/a/storypage/sid/8661/content.do

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Member Quotes

As for my pacemaker (almost 7 years old) I like to think of it in the terms of the old Timex commercial - takes a licking and keeps on ticking.