Why do angle grinder discs break?
Why do angle grinder discs break?
This happens when the angle grinder grabs of jams on the material when cutting, and is more likely to happen if you are using the wrong wheel, or cutting at the wrong speed. You can stop this happening by making sure you are using the right wheel for the material, and have set the right speed.
How dangerous is a grinder?
Angle grinders can be a dangerous power tool. Kickbacks can result in severe cuts. Discs can shatter or disintegrate producing fragments which may become lodged in the operator’s eyes or other parts of the body, potentially causing a fatality.
What is the most common cause of injury to persons who improperly use angle grinders?
The most serious injuries from angle grinders are lacerations from kickbacks and lacerations from attachments (such as grinding discs and wheels) that break or shatter to become projectiles.
What should you not do with a grinder?
DON’T use a wheel on grinders rotating at speeds higher than the MAX RPM marked on the wheel or on grinders that do not show a MAX RPM speed. DON’T use excessive pressure when mounting a wheel. Tighten enough only to hold wheel firmly. DON’T alter a wheel hole or force it on a spindle.
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).
What is the PPE for grinding?
Safety glasses and face shields are critical to protect against airborne sparks and metal chips generated in grinding, and they must be used together for full protection. Never use a face shield alone when grinding. And remember: sunglasses are not safety glasses, and welding helmets are not face shields.
How common are angle grinder accidents?
Angle grinders are amongst the most dangerous tools used in industry and agriculture. Over 5000 documented injuries are related to their use each year which are commonly triggered by a shattering of the abrasive wheel. These injuries are often accompanied by suboptimal health and safety standards.
How do I get the disc off my angle grinder?
Using the palm of your hand, slide the disc in the direction opposite to the arrow on the disc. This should loosen the nut enough to remove it with your fingers. If that doesn’t work, you can use pliers to break the old disc into pieces, giving you better access to the drive bolt and retaining nut.
Why do grinding wheels explode?
Grinding operations generate tremendous amounts of heat. This heat causes expansion and if foreign materials are embedded in the stone then the differential rate of thermal expansion between the two materials can cause a wheel to shatter.
What PPE should be used for grinding?
Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles) to protect against flying particles. Gloves, aprons, metatarsal safety boots, hearing protection, and respiratory protection may be required, depending on the work. Ensure the floor around the work area is clean.
What happens if an angle grinder breaks off?
For example, just a few years ago, a man in Australia was killed when a piece of his angle grinder’s disc broke off and penetrated his chest. 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.
Why are the discs on my angle grinder too big?
One major contributing factor is the use of cutting discs that are too large for the angle grinder. In some cases the guards have been removed and the grinder fitted with a 14 inch (356 mm) cut-off disc.
How did the angle grinder guy get injured?
Case 3 occurred when a right-handed, 43 year old male was injured when the angle grinder he was using kicked up from the edge of a flag stone. The guard had been removed from the angle grinder by his neighbour and it was not replaced prior to its use.
What to wear when you have an angle grinder accident?
Wearing the right clothing is important to protect you, but wearing the wrong clothing can also cause an angle grinder accident. As with any rotating disc, there is a risk of entanglement. Loose clothing such as ties or baggy long sleeves are easily drawn in between the wheel and the workpiece and should not be worn. Long hair should be tied back.
What kind of accident can an angle grinder cause?
Using the wrong wheel for the task, or using the tool incorrectly, can cause serious accidents. Angle grinders are a type of abrasive wheel. They are a handheld power tool, often found on construction sites, used for cutting, grinding and polishing.
Can a abrasive disc break in an angle grinder?
The angle grinder abrasive discs can break when being used. Usually, this would just be an inconvenience, but because of the speed that most angle grinders operate at, the debris can be hazardous when it goes flying.
How can I heal from an angle grinder injury?
Finding fragments of disc and the material being cut in the wound is pathognomic of angle grinder injuries [ 3 ]. Therefore thorough debridement of contaminated wounds and excision of ragged edges is vital to optimal healing. Injuries occur for a number of reasons. Firstly the wheel itself may kick back from the surface it is cutting.
What causes a kickback on an angle grinder?
Kickback can cause serious and even fatal accidents. This happens when the angle grinder grabs of jams on the material when cutting, and is more likely to happen if you are using the wrong wheel, or cutting at the wrong speed. You can stop this happening by making sure you are using the right wheel for the material, and have set the right speed.