What are most angle grinder injuries from?
Most angle grinder injuries are from metal particles lodging in the operator’s eye. However, the most serious injuries are from kick-back, where the disc is thrust back violently towards the operator. Angle grinders used with cutting discs expose workers to a range of severe additional hazards.
What are the hazards of using a grinder?
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. An operator could easily sustain cuts, abrasions, burns or eye injuries.
Can an angle grinder cut skin?
Injuries resulting from the use of angle grinders are numerous. The most common sites injured are the head and face. The high speed disc of angle grinders does not respect anatomical boundaries or structures and thus the injuries produced can be disfiguring, permanently disabling or even fatal.
Why are 9 inch grinders banned in Australia?
Note: 9 inch (230 mm) angle grinders have been banned on some work sites due to the increased risk of injury. The increased power and size of the unit will cause more severe kickback and gyroscopic effects (i.e. makes the grinder difficult to manoeuvre).
Are 9 inch grinders banned in Qld?
In August 2015, a worker on a DHA site suffered an electric shock from using a 9 inch grinder. This type of equipment is prohibited on many construction sites in Queensland and throughout Australia due to a historically large number of injuries from kickback and shattering of blades.
What causes grinder kickback?
Kickback happens when the angle grinder suddenly thrusts back towards the operator as a result of it grabbing or jamming on the materials being worked on. They are common and kick back injuries have included severe cuts and injuries to hands, arms, legs, and the groin region, as well as facial injuries.
What is bursting of a grinding wheel?
The bursting speed of a grinding wheel depends to a large extent on its design and composition. Higher bursting speeds are observed in connection with larger grain and bond volumes and smaller abrasive particle sizes. This information then serves to calculate the bursting speed of flat grinding wheels.
What causes grinder KickBack?
Do angle grinder sparks hurt?
Those from grinding, as Richard said have a very small mass and want hurt your skin. The sparks from cutting metal are highly dangerous. They consist of molten, possibly burning metal and look violent and dangerous, so you will not willingly get near.
Can a grinding wheel explode?
An under-rated, worn, damaged, or clogged grinding wheel can fracture and explode – releasing tremendous amounts of energy in the form of high-hardness shrapnel. This is a severe hazard and often results in operator fatality.
Are 9 inch grinders legal?
Caution: 9 inch (230 mm) angle grinders have been banned on some work sites due to the increased risk of injury. The increased power and size of the unit will cause more severe kickback and gyroscopic effects (i.e. makes the grinder difficult to manoeuvre).
What happened to the 9-inch angle grinder that killed the worker?
In June 2021, a worker died from injuries sustained while he was using a 9-inch (230mm) angle grinder to cut the base of a structural steel member at a commercial construction site in Brisbane. It appears a small metal shard was violently ejected from the cutting work and struck his neck.
Why are 9 inch angle grinders banned?
Note: 9 inch (230 mm) angle grinders have been banned on some work sites due to the increased risk of injury. The increased power and size of the unit will cause more severe kickback and gyroscopic effects (i.e. makes the grinder difficult to manoeuvre).
What are the most common types of injuries caused by angle grinders?
Angle Grinder Accidents 1 Finger Amputation 2 Face injury 3 Eye injury 4 Cuts and burns on the skin 5 Head injury 6 Foot and leg injuries
What happens if an angle grinder breaks off?
Now, that was a large 9-inch angle grinder that that man was using, but even small angle grinder discs can cause issues if they break off and hit you in the face or other sensitive areas. Tip: Use a diamond disc when possible.