Don't mess with grinders!

[Keith 66]

Very sad but totally avoidable. In my book the victim was as responsible for what happened. A grinder meant for 2" discs running 9" ones at twice the rated speed?????? It was inevitable.
I have only ever had one disc burst catastrophically & that was on an italian 4" grinder i had borrowed, it ran at 12,500 rpm & the 4 1/2" stone cutting discs i was using were rated at 10,000, not a huge overspeed you might think but i nicked an edge cutting grp in the bottom of a boat & the disc blew. I was wearing a Racal Airstream respirator & a lot of the disc hit me in the visor cracking it badly. Its fair to say that the respirator paid for itself that day & then some. Since then anything suspect gets scrapped. Grinders take no prisoners.

 

[500e]

Had a disc blow on a die grinder BANG & the lights went out part of the disc went through a fluorescent fitting & it's choke, another piece was embedded in the roof, 3 of us standing round it, missed us all but how close

 

[Maker]

I've never had an accident with a grinder before (Touch wood) other than Dremel 1" cut off wheels exploding before but they do no damage what so ever. Now I come to think of it, those things exploded quite often.

That article says it was a 2" grinder, would a normal grinding wheel (22 mm ID I believe) even fir onto one of them?

 

[Turbo]

TThere seems a blatant disregard over the pond where grinders are concerned it seems every American metalworker who posts on youtube has removed the guard from their grinder.

You don't need to go to USA to see this. Ed China on Wheeler Dealers uses a 4.5" grinder with no guard - makes me cringe every time I see it.

I knew a guy once who always used worn down 9" discs in a 4.5" grinders! Worst part was that he was supplied with 4.5" discs by our employer, so he wasn't saving himself any money!

 

[Kent]

A Totally avoidable accident and with total disregard for safety. Reading the report perhaps unfairly, I have to put some blame on the blokes shoulders. Some HSE stuff is just, so, so simple. If you have never done a PUWER 98 course then you shouldnt be touching a grinder of any shape or size and certainly not mounting or changing wheels/discs. I think that onus is on you and your employer. HSE has come on leaps and bounds in just a few years and there should be no defence for ingnorance.

Stan

Never even heard of it but have been using them way before 98

 

[1192simon]

Hi Guys, I have posted this before. But, this is my face after an encounter with a 9 inch grinder that kicked back on me. I was sooo lucky that it only cut through my lips and caused a tiny chip to one of my teeth. I was asked if i wanted to make a claim. No Way .. I was so lucky. The brilliant surgeons at Stevenage hospital sewed me up in an hour . I cringe every time i use a grinder now.

 

[Kent]

Hi Guys, I have posted this before. But, this is my face after an encounter with a 9 inch grinder that kicked back on me. I was sooo lucky that it only cut through my lips and caused a tiny chip to one of my teeth. I was asked if i wanted to make a claim. No Way .. I was so lucky. The brilliant surgeons at Stevenage hospital sewed me up in an hour . I cringe every time i use a grinder now.

Someone on here once told me grinders don't kick back, they most certainly do ! Good policy to plan for it and keep bits you dont want grinding out of the path they might take in the event. You need to work that fear into a healthy respect now i suppose?

 

[Maker]

I think this forum needs a "Graphic injury picture" thing to go in titles, like how the "sold" thing on selling pages looks.

 

[Turbo]

One of the reasons I always wear a face shield when grinding, at least it gives you some protection. Also I would only buy a 9" grinder with soft start, it should be a legal requirement on them! Some 9" grinders try to jump out of your hands when you start them.

 

[harryb94]

It wasn't a 2 inch grinder from the way I read it, it was the grinder must have a guard unless the disc is 2 inch diameter or less

'the grinder had a maximum permissible tool diameter of only two inches unless guarded'

Nasty stuff though

 

[marlinspike]

I remember when you first posted that picture, Simon, and I have NEVER forgotten it. It certainly made me more safety conscious. They made a very neat job of the stitches though. It's easy to get complacent about safety, and sometimes things like your pic and the OP's post are valuable reminders.

Very often on the US car shows they will weld and grind without a mask or gloves, often in a t shirt. Irresponsible to show it on TV.

 

[roofman]

I would rather take 3 times as long with a 4 1/2" grinder than use a 9"...soft start,hard start i hate them and especially with a cutting disc in them...thats asking for trouble imho iff i need to cut steel i use a 12" disc in a Sthil wizzer as with them you have a decent grip and work over the work.

 

[ford34/2]

Read it, It may help save your life and that of others.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg17.pdf


Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), it is a legal requirement for those involved in the use of abrasive wheels to be properly trained.

These regulations have totally replaced the Abrasive Wheels Regulations 1970 for the safe handling, storing, mounting and use of grinding wheels.

In addition, new safety standards for abrasive wheels and grinding machines and new codes of practice for the safe use of these products have also been introduced.

This has widened the scope for training to include those manufacturing, specifying, selling, purchasing, supervising and using abrasives.

Most recently, the implementation of the General Product Safety Regulations has extended the requirements to cover abrasives used in the consumer market
With regards to abrasive wheels, PUWER 98 (The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) requires, among other things, that all machinery is suitable for its intended use and is properly maintained. All employees, including those using, mounting and managing the operation of abrasive wheels, should be fully informed and properly trained in their safe use.
Legality
The abrasive wheel regulations are now part of legislation PUWER (provision & use of work equipment regulations 1998).

It is a legal requirement under The Provision and use of Work Equipment 1998 (PUWER) that all staff who use abrasive wheels, receive abrasive wheels training in the safe use of the equipment and changing of abrasive wheels.

Checklist - Abrasive Wheels

1. Have you informed and adequately trained those involved in the use, mounting, supervision of persons to mount abrasive wheels?
2. Have you recorded relevant details of the above training and distribution of information, instructions, etc...?
3. Do you have a procedure/system for maintaining your grinding machine and abrasive wheel refresher training?
4. Do you keep records of maintenance/inspections of abrasive wheel machines?
5. Do you provide & maintain suitable eye protection/shields/dust protection when using abrasive wheel equipment?
6. Do you provide suitable storage for abrasive wheels?
7. Do you check that safety precautions are being observed?

Stan