Download pdf - Angle Grinder Safety - Grinder Safety SA133R022717 ANGLE GRINDER SAFETY 1.0 PURPOSE 1.1 To establish minimum safety requirements to be followed when an angle grinder is …

Angle Grinder Safety

SA133R022717

McCarl’s Safety & Health Procedures

ANGLE GRINDER SAFETY


SA133R022717

Table of Contents

1.0 PURPOSE 1

2.0 SCOPE 1

3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES 1

4.0 REFERENCE 1

5.0 DEFINITIONS 1

6.0 POLICY 2

APPENDIX A – GRINDER CUTTING DISC AUTHORIZATION


SA133R022717

ANGLE GRINDER SAFETY

1.0 PURPOSE

1.1 To establish minimum safety requirements to be followed when an

angle grinder is used by improving safety by reducing the number

of tasks where angle grinders are used to perform cutting and

grinding operations.

2.0 SCOPE

2.1 This procedure is applicable to all McCarl’s employees.

3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 The Project Manager/Supervisor is responsible for implementing

and enforcing this procedure.

3.2 The Safety Department is responsible for monitoring compliance

with this procedure.

3.3 Foreman is responsible for:

- Evaluating each task to ensure an angle grinder is the correct

tool for the job and directing workers to use alternative safe

tools/methods to complete the task.

- Reviewing guard adjustment and proper body positioning.

- Completing the Foreman’s Task Plan for Safety and ensuring

the crew understands the contents.

4.0 REFERENCE

29 CFR 1926.300 Tools – Hand & Power

Milwaukee & Metabo Operator’s Manuals

Dewalt Operator’s Manual

5.0 DEFINITIONS

5.1 Kickback – A sudden reaction to a pinched or snagged rotating

wheel, backing pad, brush or any other accessory. Pinching or

snagging causes rapid stalling of the rotating accessory which in

turn causes the uncontrolled power tool to be forced in the

direction opposite of the accessory’s rotation at the point of the

binding.


SA133R022717

5.2 Proper Body Placement – The best position where you

have the greatest control over the grinder.

6.0 POLICY

6.1 General Safety Rules

6.1.1 All angle grinders must have the guard and handle in place.

Guards are designed to protect the workers hand/body from

contacting the wheel and to protect a worker from being

struck by flying debris in the event of a wheel failure.

Operation of the angle grinder without the side handle

could cause loss of control of the grinder in the event of

kick-back. If a task cannot be completed with the guard

and/or handle in place, STOP work & notify the foreman.

Foreman are responsible for evaluating the scope of work

& determining a safe method for completion. Safe methods

may consist of using an alternative safe tool (sawzall, porta

band saw, etc…) or an alternative safe method to complete

the task. (GUARDS ARE NEVER TO BE REMOVED).

6.1.2 Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.

Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving

parts.

6.1.3 Use clamps or other practical ways to secure and support

the work piece to a stable platform. Do not hold the work

by hand or against your body.

6.1.4 Prior to using the angle grinder, evaluate the task by

referencing Section 6.3 Approved Task to determine if it is

the correct tool for the job. Whenever possible use

alternative safe tools such as a porta band or sawzall.

6.1.5 Prior to daily use or after every tool change, complete a test

run. Hold the angle grinder away from the body & run the

tool for 60 seconds.

6.1.6 After shutting down the angle grinder, wait 5 seconds for

the wheel to stop spinning before setting it down.

6.1.7 Disconnect the plug from the power source before making

any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the tool.

6.1.8 Never use cutting wheels for grinding. Cutting discs must

not be subjected to any lateral pressure.


SA133R022717

6.1.9 Never use grinding wheels for cutting.

6.1.10 When using an angle grinder, use proper body placement

and DO NOT over reach. Proper body placement is

defined as the position where you have the greatest control

of the grinder.

6.1.11 Before using a grinder or installing a new wheel, inspect

the wheel for chips and cracks. Remove and discard bad

wheels immediately.

6.1.12 Read the nameplate on the grinder to ensure:

- The nameplate is legible.

- The RPM of the wheel matches the RPM of the grinder.

- The size of the wheel does not exceed the maximum

dimensions of the grinder.

6.1.13 Keep work areas clean and well lit. Eliminate tripping

hazards by stringing cords overhead or using mats to

protect them.

6.1.14 Do not use electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres.

Inspect work area to ensure there are no flammables or

explosives. Make sure to follow Customer’s Safe Work

Permit and Procedure.

6.1.15 Keep two hands on the angle grinder at all times. This will

help control the grinder in the event of a kick-back related

event.

6.2 Cutting Disc Process

6.2.1 All cutting discs shall be maintained and stored with the

site superintendent or their designee. The designee shall

not be a tool room attendant or a foreman.

6.2.2 Cutting discs shall not be stored within the general work

area or tool room, used or new.

6.2.3 Steps to safely use a cutting disc includes:

6.2.3.1 Employees shall contact their foremen and request a

disc.


SA133R022717

6.2.3.2 Foremen shall review the task to determine whether

the use of a cutting disc is the most feasible to

complete that task.

6.2.3.3 If the foremen deems the use of a cutting disc

necessary, he/she shall fill out APPENDIX A –

Grinder Cutting Disc Authorization and contact the

site superintendent or their designee.

6.2.3.4 The site superintendent or their designee shall

determine the feasibility of using a cutting disc.

Once the superintendent or their designee agrees

with the foremen that the cutting disc is the only

feasible option, a cutting disc can then be given to

the foremen.

6.2.3.5 Upon getting the site superintendent’s or their

designee’s signature, the foreman shall review the

permit with the employee prior to providing the disc

to them.

6.2.3.6 Once the cutting task is complete, the used disc

shall be returned to the site superintendent or their

designee.

6.3 Personal Protective Equipment

6.3.1 When operating an angle grinder workers are required to

wear a face shield with safety glasses underneath, gloves

and long sleeves appropriate for the task. Gloves must

allow for adequate grip between the worker’s hand and the

grinder, cotton gloves are not appropriate for use. Use of

foam sealed safety glasses with a face shield is required.

6.4 Recommended Tool Use

6.4.1 For cut off tasks that cannot be completed using alternative

safe tools, it is recommend that the DeWalt Cut Off tool

(Model DWE46044) be used when feasible.

6.5 Approved Tasks

6.5.1 Listed in the tables below is a list of tasks in which the use

of an angle grinder is either, authorized, authorized with

caution, or prohibited. Any deviation from this procedure

requires the approval of the Superintendent or above.


SA133R022717

Authorized With Caution Task Caution

Cutting a weld Be aware of kick-back from binding

Cutting boiler plates Be aware of kick-back, potential

hex-chrome hazards

Cutting boiler tubes Be aware of kick-back, potential

hex-chrome hazards

Cutting bolts Be aware of kick-back, potential

hex-chrome hazards

Cutting box panels Use alternative tools when feasible.

Cutting couplings Be aware of kick-back, potential

hex-chrome hazards

Cutting fittings Use alternative tools when feasible.

Cutting locks Last resort: be aware of kick backs

and hands off lock

Cutting masonry Respirator required due to potential

silica dust exposures

Cutting pipe Pipe must be secured to prevent kick

back, potential hex-chrome exposure

if stainless steel materials. Use

alternate method when feasible.

Cutting plate Use alternate method when feasible.

Cutting roller studs Be cautious of coatings and chrome

materials.

Cutting screw strips Use alternate method such as snips,

when feasible.

Cutting sheeting Coatings, use alternate tool such as

nibblers or snips when feasible.

Cutting steel Use alternative tools when feasible.

Cutting toe plate Possible lead paint, kickback, use

alternate tool if possible.

Demolition Potential hazardous materials,

kickback.

Prohibited Angle Grinder Tasks Cutting aluminum flashing Cutting pins

Cutting all-thread Cutting rebar

Cutting angle iron Cutting road mesh

Cutting cable Cutting scaffold material

Cutting cable tray Cutting scaffold trees

Cutting conduit Cutting steel mesh

Cutting grating Cutting uni-strut

Cutting handrail Grinding threads

Cutting insulation Grinding uni-strut

Cutting junction box Sharpening other tools

Cutting nuts in half Use as bench grinder


SA133R022717

Grinding boiler walls Potential Hazardous materials.

Authorized With Caution Continued Task Caution

Grinding handrail Lead paint hazards, chrome, pinch

points, kick back

Grinding mill liners Lead paint hazards, chrome, pinch

points, kick back

Grinding nail heads down Use proper PPE and alternative tools

when feasible.

Prep for grounding Lead paint & chrome hazards

Prep for welding Lead paint & chrome hazards

Removing boiler tubes Chrome

Removing galvanizing Special PPE required

Removing paint Lead paint hazards

Removing rust Foam sealed glasses and respiratory

protection.

Removing slag Use proper PPE and alternative tools

when feasible.

Wire wheel roller pots Coatings, chrome

Authorized Angle Grinder Tasks Beveling pipe

Cleaning welds

Grinding fittings

Grinding for pins

Grinding pipe

Grinding steel

Grinding welds

Pinning boiler walls

Polishing steel

Smooth steel on rollers


SA133R022717

Appendix A

Date:

Grinder Cutting Disc Authorization Has the foreman and superintendent discussed the task to determine if a safer method is available? – YES NO

Has the foreman discussed safe grinder usage with the requesting employee? – YES NO

Was the cutting disc returned to the superintendent after the task was completed? – YES NO

Complete JHA for the specific cutting task: Sequence of Basic Job Steps Specific Hazards and Potential Risks Eliminate/ Manage Risks

Verification of Task Review:

Superintendent:

________________________________ ________________________________ Number of Cutting Discs Issued: Print Signature

Foreman:

________________________________ ________________________________ Number of Cutting Discs Returned: Print Signature

Employees Requesting Cutting Disc:

________________________________ ________________________________ Print Signature

________________________________ ________________________________

________________________________ ________________________________

________________________________ ________________________________