Abrasive Wheels

Safe Use of Abrasive Wheels

Tools and machinery that use abrasive wheels are some of the most dangerous devices within the workplace, and if used incorrectly, abrasive wheels can cause major injuries – often through errors made by the operator.

Whether a result of wheel breakage, flying particles, entanglement, serious friction burns, accidents from abrasive wheels can be severe, resulting in hospitalisation and all too often, even blindness. Also there are risks relating to noise, vibration and dust inhalation

About this Course

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 require that any abrasive wheel used at work must be correctly selected, appropriate for the type of work and material to be cut, and be properly mounted by a person who has been trained for this purpose and is considered competent by their employer.

This training course provides the delegate with the knowledge they need to keep themselves and others safe during the handling, mounting and operation of abrasive wheels.

Learning Outcomes

The main objectives of this training are to provide an in-depth look at the dangers that abrasive wheels pose and how to spot them, to reduce accidents from:

Bursting wheels,

1. Ejected workpiece,
2. Fire or Explosion,

To reduce injury and disease from:

1. Eye injury,
2. Vibration white finger,
3. Friction burns,
4. Crushed or abrasion to fingers,
5. Deafness,

To provide instruction to ensure the:

1. Correct mounting of an abrasive wheel,
2. Machine is in good order.

Safely use the equipment without harm to self or others.

Course Contents

This training course is broken down into 4 main sections:

    An Introduction to Abrasive Wheels

There are many different types of machines within industry that utilise abrasive wheels, each designed to be used in different ways. Some are used for cutting (chop saws), some for shaping and removing sharp edges (angle grinders) and some are used for cleaning or preparing materials such as linishing machines. Many of these are hand-held, but there are also fixed machines, such as bench grinders.

This section looks at the dangers involved with their use, legislation, and the responsibilities of both employer and employee.

    The Types of Abrasive Wheels

We look at the differences between abrasive wheels, different types for different applications, shapes and sizes and materials being cut. We cover the physical make up of a wheel – grain type and size, wheel hardness, different types of bonds, and wheel identification.

    Choosing the Right Wheel, Inspection, Mounting & Balancing

Selecting the right abrasive wheel for the job is important - making sure it’s the correct type, size, material spec., operating speed etc. Incorrect choice could lead to damage to your material, produce poor quality work or at worse, injure yourself or others.

Choosing the correct wheel type is the first step to working safely, followed by correctly setting up and installing the abrasive wheel, including ring testing and correct mounting.

    Wheel Safety and Use

This section covers the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of using abrasive wheels safely, including dressing wheels, starting machines up, methods of use, storage and transportation.

There are no pre-requisites