The document provides information about angle grinder safety. It describes how angle grinders are commonly used power tools that can pose serious hazards. It discusses typical injuries such as cuts, burns and eye injuries that can occur from sparks and debris or disc failure. The document also presents a case study of a fatal accident caused by an operator removing the safety guard and using an improperly sized disc. It emphasizes the importance of using proper personal protective equipment, inspecting the tool and disc, and securing the workpiece.

2. Aim
To create overall
awareness about
Grinder safety

3. 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

4. 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

5. Work Hazards
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
• 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

6. WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
An operator could easily sustain
cuts, abrasions, burns or eye injury.

7. 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

8. Case Study
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

9. Accident Scene

10. Blood

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

13. A portion
lodged on
the victim right temple
till his right chin

15. ACCIDENTS
don’t just happen…
“THEY ARE CAUSED!!!”

16. 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

17. PPE!!
– Face shield
– Gloves
– Fire resistant clothing
– Hearing protection

18. Precautions:
• 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

19. Inspect the equipment:
• 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

21. A grinder safety checklist!
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?

23. what’s wrong with this picture ?

24. 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.

25. Worker must know
how to work safely in order to
protect themselves.

26. Think Safety
Work Safely
Develop by:
Ammar Hassan