Tips to prevent angle grinder injury

A new guide on the use of workplace angle grinders has been released by WorkSafe Victoria after 31 serious workplace injuries involving angle grinders over the past 12 months. They’re among a total of 117 injuries involving grinders of all types in the past year and which resulted in workers compensation claims.

“They can easily cause life-threatening lacerations or, if an attachment breaks, can throw pieces of it into the eyes of the user or others who are nearby,” said Ross Pilkington, Director of WorkSafe’s Manufacturing, Logistics and Agriculture Division.

In the past two months, 11 safety incidents with angle grinders have been reported to WorkSafe Victoria of which eight resulted in injuries. These incidents included severe lacerations to the hands, arms and legs (some of which resulted in surgery), electrical shocks and fires caused by sparks which landed in rubbish or vehicles. Angle grinders are used in many occupations, but particularly in the metal fabrication industry. Below are some safety tips:

• Ensure the angle grinder is an appropriate tool for the task
• Angle grinder attachment needs to be appropriate for the task and the materials being worked
• Angle grinders and their attachments need to be in good working condition
• Ensure electrical connections are safe
• When working with an angle grinder, the work should be performed in the best working zone, which is between the worker’s shoulders and knees
• Make sure any angle grinder you buy has safety features including an antikickback safety clutch and a braking system to stop the wheel quickly
• Don’t use attachments that are worn or damaged
• Don’t use if the guard is in the wrong place or not attached at all

WorkSafe’s new publication - Safe use of angle grinders - identifies the potential hazards and consequences, and what can be done to prevent them.