This standard specifies safety requirements for the design, construction, operation and maintenance (including installation, dismantling, and transport) of the general class of manually controlled horizontal and vertical spindle turning machines.  Machines covered by this standard are intended to work metals and other man–made materials.  This standard also applies to devices that are integral to the machine.

These machines may have automatic capability but may not be equipped with automatic part handling or bar–feed mechanisms nor automatic tool changing systems.  This standard does not apply to NC Turning Machines where manual control is used only to set the machine for automatic production.

Manual turning machines utilize manually initiated steps to produce a part by rotating the workpiece against a stationary tool(s) such that the cutting force is from the workpiece and not the tool.