Grinding wheels operate at very high speeds and can present health and safety hazards. Here are the most common:
- A grinding (abrasive) wheel can shatter, seriously injuring workers nearby.
- Grinding can produce excessive noise, sparks and metal fragments.
- Contact with a wheel can mean cuts and scrapes.
- Dropping a portable grinder can injure legs and feet.
- Dusts can cause respiratory problems.
- Contact with lubricating oils and metallic dusts can irritate skin.
- Compressed air (from a pneumatic grinder) can enter the bloodstream, with deadly results.
- Vibration can cause ‘white finger’ injury.
- Electric shock can be fatal.
This content is for Markel policy holders.
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