Angle grinder safety isn’t just about changing wheels but also selecting the right attachments, correctly using the tool, and putting the necessary controls in place. Only mount abrasive wheels on a compatible angle grinder for the wheel, and only if you have the training and capabilities to do so. Because the risk of projectiles can only be minimised and not eliminated, as an angle grinder safety measure to stop injury, you must wear PPE to protect you from the risk of projectiles, especially eye and head protection. You might not be able to stop this, so you should make sure you are in a safe environment to use an angle grinder. If you use an angle grinder near a refuelling station or close to the storage or use of flammable or explosive substances, you are creating a risk of fire and explosion. In this post, we focused on angle grinder safety issues and different types of angle grinder accidents. Need a risk assessment? Cover the hazards and control the risks with the angle grinder risk assessment template, ready to use and easy to edit.
Caution: 9 inch angle grinders have been banned on some work sites due to the increased risk of injury. A risk assessment to identify alternative methods and tools should be carried out prior to selecting a 9 inch angle grinder. Risk control measuresconsider whether an angle grinder is actually the best tool to perform the task, because another tool may be just as, or even more, effective. Provide operators with training and instruction in safe work procedures for angle grinders. Provide one-on-one supervision for workers receiving training in the use of angle grinders or people who are unfamiliar with their use. Ensure all grinders are regularly checked for electrical safety and that all defects are repaired by a competent person. Keep the grinding disc at a 15 to 30-degree angle to the object.
An angle grinder is a tool that needs to be respected. Whether the accessory on that angle grinder is a grinding disc, a cutting disc, or a wire wheel, you have something that is spinning at speeds anywhere from 9,000 to 11,000 RPM, inches from your hands, fingers, body, and face. I can guarantee you, if you are running an angle grinder for your job without a guard, at some point you are going to be injured by that grinder. We wouldn’t send them back with their guards, but what it led to on our part was the development of the flat-head angle grinder. With the multiposition accessory, it’s a steel bar that connects to the grinder that allows you to position the side handle anywhere across the top of the grinder on a 180-degree arc from left to right. The angle grinder itself might not be loud, but the sound the disc makes on the material greatly amplifies the sounds that are made. If your angle grinder goes in and out of a tool crib every day, and if that tool crib issues you a grinder with an accessory on it, make sure to let it run no load for a minute.
The angle grinder is one of the most dangerous tools in the workplace and so appropriate angle grinder safety and training on operating procedures are critical for the sake of workers and their families. In early 2016 after being struck in the chest by a broken 9-inch angle grinder attachment prompting WorkCover Queensland to issue a safety alert. A disc that is too large for an angle grinder will not be manufactured to support the higher speeds of the smaller grinder so there is an increased probability of the disc shattering. Never use discs which are too large or too small for the angle grinder being used. The maximum revolutions per minute disc speed must always be higher than the maximum speed of the angle grinder. Ensure the angle grinder is checked for damage or safety issues before use. Other PPE Jones recommended when using an angle grinder includes approved safety boots and well-fitting flame-resistant clothing.
why are angle grinders so dangerous Related Question:
Why are angle grinders dangerous?
Angle grinders can be a dangerous power tool. Kickbacks can result in severe cuts. Discs can shatter or disintegrate producing fragments which may become lodged in the operator’s eyes or other parts of the body, potentially causing a fatality.
Are angle grinders safe?
Angle grinders offer a fast and effective way to cut and smooth a variety of surfaces and materials. But they can also be dangerous. Accident statistics indicate that nearly half of all accidents involving abrasive wheels are due to an unsafe system of work or operator error.
What are most angle grinder injuries from?
In 2008, nearly 25,000 were injured nationwide while using angle grinders (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission). The majority of these injuries occur from an abrasive blade shattering, diamond-blade segment loss, or the angle grinder kicking back.
Why do angle grinders explode?
Grinding operations generate tremendous amounts of heat. This heat causes expansion and if foreign materials are embedded in the stone then the differential rate of thermal expansion between the two materials can cause a wheel to shatter.
Why are 9 inch grinders banned in Australia?
Note: 9 inch (230 mm) angle grinders have been banned on some work sites due to the increased risk of injury. The increased power and size of the unit will cause more severe kickback and gyroscopic effects (i.e. makes the grinder difficult to manoeuvre).
How dangerous are sparks from angle grinder?
What is this? The sparks that result from cutting or grinding metal can be dangerous. Not only can they burn the eyes and/or skin, but they also can also ignite combustible or flammable materials in the area, causing a fire.
How common are angle grinder accidents?
Abstract. Angle grinders are amongst the most dangerous tools used in industry and agriculture. Over 5000 documented injuries are related to their use each year which are commonly triggered by a shattering of the abrasive wheel. These injuries are often accompanied by suboptimal health and safety standards.
Should you wear gloves with angle grinder?
“Gloves should be well-fitted and provide good dexterity and the best possible protection against cut or abrasion and heat,” he said, adding that vibration resistant properties are also of benefit, specially on angle grinders that don’t have Milwaukee’s built in anti-vibration features.
Is grinding steel harmful?
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A storage tank manufacturer exposed workers to hazardous levels of hexavalent chromium and potentially deafening noise as they welded and grinded stainless steel and other alloy steels. At high levels, hexavalent chromium can cause lung cancer and respiratory, eye and skin damage.
What can you not do with an angle grinder?
Angle Grinder Use Angle grinders generate sparks. When required obtain a hot work permit before use. Keep work area clear of debris and flammable materials. Do NOT use in areas where there is grain dust or other combustible dust accumulation.
Can a angle grinder cut wood?
There are several reasons why some users attach a circular saw blade to an angle grinder. The blade of an angle grinder is a grindstone that is used to polish or sharpen metal and stone; it cannot be used for cut- ting wood because it may burn and singe the wood by friction.
What PPE should you wear when using a grinder?
Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles) to protect against flying particles. Gloves, aprons, metatarsal safety boots, and respiratory protection may be required, depending on the work.
