Angle grinders are beasts! Dangerous and powerfull. So you don’t want to mess around with them. Right? Unfortunately, yearly, thousands end up in hospital with lacerations and worse.
Luckily here you will read 11 Easy To Avoid Angle Grinder Accidents! Becase yes, angle grinders are incredibly powerful tools. But, when you know how to operate one, and you are aware of the potential risks and take precautions to avoid accidents. Then it is just like any other tool out there.
As said in this post, I will be sharing 11 easy-to-follow tips to help you stay safe while using an angle grinder. From the basics of checking your equipment before use to the importance of wearing the right safety gear, I will be covering everything you need to know about angle grinder safety.
So, if you’re looking to stay safe while using an angle grinder, then this blog post is for you! Keep reading to learn more.
1. Wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect yourself from harm
When operating an angle grinder, it is essential to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect yourself from harm.
This includes eye protection such as safety glasses or a face shield to protect your eyes from debris or sparks. Hearing protection such as ear plugs or ear muffs to protect your ears from the loud grinding noise, and a dust mask to protect your lungs from the dust created by the grinding process.
Additionally, wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed-toe shoes will protect your skin from any sparks or debris. Finally, wearing gloves will provide an extra layer of protection to your hands while operating the angle grinder. Wearing this PPE will help to ensure that you stay safe while operating an angle grinder.
2. Keep loose articles, clothing, and hair away from the angle grinder to ensure they don’t get caught in the wheel.
If your hair gets caught in a spinning angle grinder disc, it can be a very dangerous situation. The powerful force of the spinning disc can quickly draw anything that gets caught into the wheel, resulting in serious injury. The force of the spinning disc can be powerful enough to pull a person towards it, resulting in severe cuts, lacerations, and even amputation of the limb.
In addition, if a loose article of clothing gets caught in the wheel, it could cause the tool to kick back, leading to a potential loss of control and further injury.
3. Breaking Cutting Or Grinding Disc Because The Tools RPM Is Too High
Combining the right cutting or grinding disc with its recommended operating speed is important for avoiding potential accidents. The speed of an angle grinder varies depending on the model, but typically ranges from 8,000 to 11,000 RPM.
Angle grinder wheels are made to be operated at a certain RPM if you exceed that amount, the disc can break. You can use a cutting disc designed for higher RPM on a lower RPM task. But not the other way around.
4. Keep your body in a safe position to avoid injury.
Having the right body positioning when using a tool will help you get the job done safely and efficiently. Make sure to keep your feet firmly planted and both hands on the tool when using any size tool. Doing so will reduce the risk of angle grinder accidents.
Be aware of the angle grinder kickback
When using angle grinders, being aware of the possibility of kickback is essential. To avoid any unfortunate accidents, the user must make sure to use the right tool and follow the proper technique. It is important to be vigilant and pay attention to the tool’s reaction. Doing this can help to make sure that safety is maintained. This is the simplest way to avoid any angle grinder incidents.
5. Ensure that wheel guards are installed and properly positioned for added safety.
A shield guard is important on an angle grinder because it helps protect the operator from sparks and debris that can be thrown off during operation. The guard should be mounted so that it is parallel to the grinder’s rotation, and it should be fastened securely to the grinder at an angle of at least 15 degrees above the operator’s line of sight. This will ensure that the guard is in the best position to protect the operator from potential injury.
6. Never use your worn-down wheel for a smaller-angle grinder.
It’s hard to believe, but some people will keep using wheels beyond their intended life. Take, for example, a 7” angle grinder cutting disc: it will eventually reach the point where it becomes unusable, but instead of replacing it, the user will take the disc out and put it in a smaller tool, running it until it’s spent.
You now have a worn-down disc, and you run into the issue as explained in point three! A 7” grinder wheel with a 7,000 RPM rating should not be used in a 4.5” grinder with 11,000 RPM. This means a higher risk of it bursting, and manufacturers can’t account for the safety factor when there is such a huge gap. Trying to save a few bucks can end up costing much more in medical bills.
7. Be mindful of the shock hazard that may occur when using an angle grinder.
One other hazard associated with using an angle grinder is electric shock. This can occur if the grinder is not properly grounded or if the operator comes into contact with live electrical components. It is important to ensure that the grinder is properly grounded and that all electrical components are insulated and in good condition before using the grinder.
8. Shield yourself and others from flying particles and sparks.
Be mindful of any debris, metal, or sparks that are flung from the grinding wheel. The particles move at high speeds and can travel up to 18 to 21 ft. Taking this into account, be aware that the particles and sparks may affect those and things around you. So, it’s important to be aware of the potential danger these materials may cause.
9. Be aware of the potential fire and explosion risks when using an angle grinder.
Alright this is a mythbuster one. Because although the sparks coming from an Angle grinder are hot 3,600°F, 2,000 °C) and might sting you. They won’t be able to start a fire that easily. As seen below.
Gasoline isn’t tricked to spark…
Some cattail on the other hand…
So what does this mean? Well I think you should really look out for sawdust, built-up dust, and any other light fabric that easily catch fire. Because as shown in the video’s it is absolutely possible to ‘make’ a fire using an angle grinder. So next time. Take a second look at your surroundings and make sure it is save of flammable materials.
10. Make sure to keep your workspace clear of tripping hazards.
Haven’t you had that once already? Working nicely but need to grab something else quickly, or you just done and moved away from the area you worked in. Only to trip over the cords used by your tools…ARGGH.
Yep, when in use, but definitely when not in use. Always put away the cords so you can walk around freely without tripping and falling.
11. Make sure you’re adequately trained on the correct use of the angle grinder.
And at last, don’t just go and use the tool, first get acquainted with it, read the instructions, us it on smaller tasks. Get the hang of it and feel the tools movement before going in full force.
Conclusion
Overall, using an angle grinder can be a dangerous task if safety measures are not taken. Common accidents that can occur include kickbacks, electric shocks, and breaking discs, and flying debris. To avoid these risks, it is essential to wear the proper safety gear, read the instruction manual, and use the correct cutting discs. By following these safety tips, you can ensure that you use an angle grinder safely and effectively.
