SAFETY Portable Grinding Safety
Portable Grinding Safety Do’s and Don’ts DO’S
DON’TS
• DO read all manuals, operating instructions and warnings. • DO read SDS for the wheel and workpiece material. • DO check all wheels for cracks or other damage before mounting. • DO make sure the machine does not exceed the maximum operating speed marked on the wheel. • DO store according to ANSI B7.1. • DO use an ANSI B7.1 wheel guard. Position it so it protects the operator. • DO be sure wheel hole oR threads fit machine properly and that the flanges are clean, flat, undamaged and the proper type. • DO run wheel in a protected area for one minute before grinding. • DO wear ANSI Z87+ safety glasses and face protection, if required. • DO wear gloves, hearing and body protection. • DO employ dust controls and/or protective measures appropriate to the material being ground. • DO comply with OSHA regulations 29 CFR 1926.1153 when working on materials containing crystalline silica such as concrete.
• DON’T use wheels that have been dropped or damaged. • DON’T use on grinders that do not show a MAX RPM.
INSPECT / SPEED
• DON’T remove or modify any guard. ALWAYS use a proper guard. • DON’T alter a wheel or force it on to the spindle. • DON’T mount more than one wheel on an arbor. • DON’T use excessive pressure when mounting a wheel. Tighten enough only to hold wheel firmly. • DON’T use wheels near bystanders if they are not wearing protective equipment.
MOUNT / GUARD
PROTECT
• DO support work-piece firmly. • DO hold grinder firmly with two hands.
• DON’T allow untrained people to handle, store, mount or use wheels. • DON’T use grinding wheels or cutting wheels on pistol grip air sanders. • DON’T use any cutting wheel for grinding nor apply side pressure on a cutting wheel. Use for CUTTING ONLY. • DON’T use a cutting wheel to cut curves. Cut in straight lines only. • DON’T twist, bend or jam any wheel. • DON’T force or bump wheel so that the tool motor slows or stalls. • DON’T use wheels in the presence of combustible materials. • DON’T use wheels for applications other than for which they were designed.
OPERATE
Dangerous Pairing: Die Grinders and Cut-off Wheels While die grinders and portable cut-off tools may look similar, they are by no means interchangeable. Several crucial differences exist between the two handheld machines. GUARD Cut-off wheels must be used on guarded machines for the safety of the operator and bystanders. SPEED Cut-off wheels must be used at or below their maximum operating speed, marked clearly on the side of the wheel. Excessive speed can result in breakage and serious personal injury.
Die Grinder
Die grinders often operate above 25,000 rpm and therefore are too fast for abrasive wheels. The speed hazard is increased by the absence of a guard. Portable cut-off tools, however, rotate at speeds compatible with the abrasive wheels for which they are designed. And, their guards prevent use of an oversize wheel. MOUNTING Cut-off wheels must be mounted between proper flanges, as described in the national safety standard for abrasive wheels, ANSI B7.1. Die grinders make use of a collet for mounting Portable cut-off tools use flanges for mounting, flanges designed according to the ANSI B7.1 safety standard. Now that you have learned the three crucial differences between die grinders and portable cut-off tools – GUARD, SPEED and MOUNTING – be on watch for the dangerous pairing of cut-off wheels and die grinders, and warn your friends and colleagues of the same. Portable Cut-off Tool
EZ Essentials Stock Abrasives Program
www.nortonabrasives.com
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