Dangers of Angle Grinders

the daNgerS of aNgle griNderS

angle grinders are common in many hire companies workshops and showrooms. their versatility, along with the recent addition of batterypowered grinders, has made these nifty little power tools very popular. Unfortunately, their versatility comes with an impressive number of hazards.

thE rEcEnt DEath of a construction worker in Brisbane highlighted the dangers of using angle grinders. According to the reports the man, believed to be in his 50s, suffered a fatal injury when a small metal shard spun off from the 230mm grinder and struck him in the neck. Worksafe Australia noted that he was using the grinder to cut the base of a structural steel member and that no safety guard was reportedly fitted to the grinder at the time - (https://bit.ly/HIANZ_230921).

Angle grinders introduce severAl hAzArds into A workplAce.

The Hazards of Angle Grinders Mechanical shear or cutting Entrapment from spinning disc Centrifugal force causing ejection of projectiles Production of particulate dust and fumes Hot surfaces including disc and work material Sparks as a potential ignition course

Noise When hiring angle grinders, Hire Companies have responsibilities under the Health & Safety Act to reduce risk to the user. Here’s a couple of proactive steps you might want to consider:

IS an anGLE GrInDEr thE bESt tooL For thE Job?

Angle grinders are grinders. They work by abrasion. They are not cutting saws. If cutting is required, then a reciprocating saw may be a better choice. Pick the best tool for the job.

Do I haVE thE corrEct DISc?

It’s vitally important to select the correct disc for the intended job. It needs to be rated at or above the speed of the grinder, free of any cracks or defects (including water damage) and suitable for the material that is about to be ground. If you’re a hire company who hires angle grinders and also sells the discs, it’s worthwhile verifying with the supplier that the discs meet the necessary requirements.

What can I Do to MakE thE GrInDEr SaFEr?

The saddest aspect of the Brisbane fatality was that it was entirely preventable, and that a family will be without their Dad this Christmas. It’s not known who removed the safety guard, something that is relatively easy on many powertools. You may want to look at changing the screw from a Philips head to perhaps a hex design or burring the end of the thread to make removal of the safety guard just a bit more difficult. Any new equipment purchase should also consider safety design, especially the ease of removal of the guard or ability to override the ‘dead mans switch’ or ‘hold-to-run’ features. HIANZ has reviewed the current ESDS and will shortly be issuing an update. Check out the Worksafe NZ website for more information and consider making angle grinders a discussion topic at your next toolbox meeting. ■