Hazards Related to Abrasive Grinding Wheels

• Grinding wheels are useful but can be hazardous. sharpening tools,remodel image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com

  Abrasive grinding wheels are an important tool in the workshop. Their use for shaping parts, smoothing surfaces and sharpening tools saves time and effort compared to manual tools, such as files and bench stones. But there is an added element of danger involved too, and the operator must always be aware of the hazards related to the use of grinding wheels.

Wheel Explosion

• Because of the high rotational speeds involved, grinding wheels carry an inherent danger of explosion. A damaged or unbalanced wheel may display no overt symptoms of trouble until centrifugal force causes it to fail suddenly, ejecting debris towards the operator or bystanders at speeds sufficient to cause severe injury or even death.

Particle Ejecta

• The act of grinding causes bits of both the grinding wheel and the work to be ejected from the point of contact. This ejecta can cause eye or skin injury, and, if inhaled, may create respiratory problems.

Body Contact

• If the operator contacts the surface of the spinning wheel, it can cause serious cuts and abrasions. Worse, the moving surface may pull parts of the body into the area between the wheel and a guard or workbench, causing severe body damage.