Do you show your Angle Grinder enough respect?

Found in just about every metal working environment, Angle Grinders are equally as dangerous as any other piece of equipment if not treated with the appropriate care and respect that it deserves.

According to statistics, injuries from Angle Grinders are generally likely to happen due to either a lack of training, not knowing the equipment and safety features, or due to having worked with the equipment a certain way for a number of years. As we all know times change and with this sometimes equipment is updated by the manufacturer, therefore you have to adapt and adhere to the appropriate safety precautions.

Usually accidents occur because of the operator customising their grinder in what might seem like a harmless way. Most commonly the guard is removed. Designed to contain the wheel or disc in the event that is shatters or breaks, the guard should be locked into position to prevent it from opening onto the operator. The usual excuse for removing the guard is that the user can’t see what they’re working on, which in the past may have been true, but today any major manufacturer offers repositionable guards which allow you to move and lock it back into a position that suits your needs, allowing you to get into tight areas.

Next to removing the guard, the other most common dangerous mistake is not using the side handle. Many users say that the side handle gets in the way, however having one hand on the body and one on the side handle of the grinder will give you much more control, so you can use it as efficiently and safely as possible.

Ensuring you are using the correct accessories for the make and model of equipment is also incredibly important for preventing injury, but it is sometimes overlooked. Using a wheel that is too big for your grinder greatly increases the possibility of kickback, which is where a wheel binds up or gets caught in the workpiece during operation. The tool is then forced to stop suddenly creating a situation where it wants to ‘kickback’ out of your hands.

Whatever the accessory that is being used, you have something in your hands that is spinning at speeds anywhere from 9,000 to 11,000 RPM, inches from your hands, fingers, body and face. Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential, this includes safety glasses that shield the front and side of the eye. Hearing protection, spark resistant gloves and fire-retardant clothing. Depending on your application, you may also need to wear a full-face shield and if you are working inside or in a confined area then you should wear a dust respirator. Always be aware of the material that you are working with to ensure you are correctly protected from any potential hazardous fumes.

Give your Angle Grinder the care and attention that it needs to keep it running safely. Inspect it before each use for any chips, cracks or any other defects that may affect the safe running of the equipment. It is recommended that you run the disc at no load any time you change accessories to make sure it doesn’t come apart. Never operate the tool under the influence of alcohol or drugs and if you are feeling unwell or tired then you might find it difficult to concentrate, take a break until you are safe enough to start work again.

Best practices, PPE and vigilance are the keys to injury protection.
Our partner company, Clwyd Welding Services can offer a wide range of industry leading equipment designed to meet safety standards and ensure that you and your workers are properly protected.

For more information, call 01244 531667 or email: CWS-Ltd@hotmail.co.uk

Reference: https://www.thefabricator.com/