GrindersSafety

Aim

To create overall awareness about

Grinder safety

Description

• Grinder is a handheld power tool used for cutting, grinding and polishing

• Can be powered by an electric motor, petrol engine or compressed air

• The motor drives a replaceable mounted abrasive disc at a right angle

• Discs are available for nearly all tasks including cutting, grinding, sanding and polishing various materials

Standard Use

• Commonly used in construction and metal working, as well as emergency rescue work

• The size and type of wheel typically defines the type of work that can be done

• For example, a “crack chaser” wheel, is diamond plated and used to cut concrete

Work Hazards

• Typical hazards include– Sparks and excess material projectiles that result

from normal use– Bad discs shredding and flying off at extremely

high speeds– Discs binding and causing the tool to jerk

violently, which may result in broken bones and/or dislocations

When operating, the cutting or grinding disc may come into contact with a body part, or shatter and throw off pieces at extremely high speed

Content Warnings

An operator could easily sustain cuts, abrasions, burns or eye injury.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Fatality Statistics USA• There were 7 total angle grinder related

deaths that were investigated by OSHA for last three year

• 3 were a result of electric shock• 2 were a result of kick back • 2 were a result of disintegrating discs

Extracted from OSHA Accident Investigation Data

The worker was trying to open a man hole steel cover that is located at the accident site, As they did not have the right tool to open the steel cover, they tried opening it with other tools but failed to open it and also damaged the slot used to insert the actual tool to open it, the worker finally decided to cut the manhole steel cover using a hand grinder.They initially tried cutting it with the normal 6 inch disc but it did not work, so finally the worker decided to try and use a 12 inch disc . Which could not fit into the hand grinder as the protective guard only allows the right size disc to be fitted on it, he decided to remove the guard to allow a 12 inch disc to be fitted onto the hand grinder and started cutting the manhole steel cover which approximately has a thickness of 0.5 to 1cm. He managed to cut through to a length 3/4 of the cover's diameter, all of a sudden most probably, due to long duration and extreme force applied or the quality and durability of the disc that was being used cracked and struck his face and threw him to the ground.A portion of the broken disc was lodged on his right temple till his right chin killing him 15 minutes after its occurrence

Case Study

Accident Scene

Content Warnings

Blood

Content Warnings

Wrong Tools

Victim cutting the manhole using 7’’ Angel grinder (disc size maximum 7 inch)

A portion of the flying broken disk lodged on the victim right temple

till his right chin

ACCIDENTS don’t just happen…

“THEY ARE CAUSED!!!”

Safety Best Practices

• Before use, consult manufactures guidelines• Inspect the guard before each use• Never use the grinder above chest height• Only use wheels that meet the size and rpm rating of the

grinder (Revolutions per minute use to measure the frequency of a rotation)

• Replace disc when wear is obvious or if there is a chip• Stop use immediately if vibration is apparent• Stand perpendicular to the plane of the cutting wheel

– Face shield– Gloves – Fire resistant clothing– Hearing protection

PPE!!

• Grinders must only be used by workers who are competent in the use of the power tool.• Grinder operators must always wear goggles, face shield and hearing protection (noise levels from grinders can be as high as 110 db)• Ensure the grinding/cutting tool has the correct guard in place.• Ensure the work piece is secure so that it can’t move during the task.• Be gentle – let the tool do the job – don’t apply excessive pressure

Precautions:

• The RPM of the machine must not exceed the RPM of the wheel/disc (there are hundreds of different types of wheels and discs – make sure the correct one is used for the task)• Never use a cutting-off wheel for grinding – the sideways force will break the disc.• Don’t use a damaged disk or wheel – watch for cracks or chips.• Prevent discs and wheels from being damaged during transporting• Store wheels and discs in dry, cool conditions.• Clear others from the work area to prevent injury from projectiles from the work or from a failed wheel or disc .• Check electrical cord for fraying or damage, keep the cords away from the rotating disc or wheel

Inspect the equipment:

Before starting 1. Is the grinder outer body free of visible defects, missing parts or

damage? 2. Is the power cord/plug or air hose free of visible damage? 3. Is the power supply (electric or pneumatic) compatible with the

requirements of the grinder? 4. Are guards and handles in place and secure? 5. Does the guard cover a minimum of 50 percent of the abrasive

wheel circumference between the wheel and the user? 6. Is the grinder equipped with a functioning automatic cut off or "dead

man" switch? 7. Is the abrasive wheel rated for the maximum possible speed (RPM)

of the grinder? 8. Is the abrasive wheel free of visible damage? 9. Does the abrasive wheel fit snuggly around the grinder spindle? 10. Is the abrasive wheel attached to the grinder spindle with the correct

flanges, backing plate and locking nut?

A grinder safety checklist!

what’s wrong with this picture ?

Answer: 1. The employee is holding the pipe while grinding instead of using a

vice to secure the pipe.2. The employee’s hand and body is in the line of fire if the employee

loses control of the pipe.3. The employee has his badge hanging around his neck near rotating

equipment.4. Let’s hope the face shield behind the employee is not the one he

should be wearing while grinding.

Worker must know how to work safely in order to

protect themselves.

Think Safety

Work Safely

Develop by: Ammar Hassan