An employee was using a 4" portable electric angle grinder with a cupped masonry grinding wheel to finish the edges of a newly poured form. During the task the bonded abrasive material of the grinding wheel disintegrated and impacted the employee. The employee suffered multiple injuries including: fractured bones, bruises, cuts and abrasions.

 

• The 4" portable electric angle grinder operates at 11,000 rpm/minimum.
• The cupped masonry grinding wheel is rated for 6000 rpm/maximum.
• The grinder guard was removed to install this specific grinding wheel.

• All tasks that require the use of a grinder shall be outlined in a Job Safety Analysis (JSA).
• Common handheld angle grinders may operate at different speeds ranging from 5000 rpm up to 12,000 rpm.
• Angle grinders are used for many tasks including sanding, cutting and grinding, based on the type of disc selected for the task.
• Selecting the proper disc to be used for a specific task is critical for grinders to be used safely.
• OSHA and ANSI state that grinders are required to have guards in place for all applications at all times.

• As part of Hazard Hunt Process, the Person in Charge at each jobsite shall submit a detailed inventory of grinders (sizes and operating speed) and grinding discs (sizes and application) to their respective Project Manager and HSE Manager for review.
• Each worksite that has tasks being conducted that require the use of a grinder shall submit the JSA being used onsite to the Project Manager and HSE Manager for a JSA Desktop Audit to be conducted.
• Grinders that are found to be missing guards and do not meet the minimum criteria for safe operation shall be taken out of service immediately.