Grind safely!
Making your workplace as safe as possible to minimize the risk of accidents is one of your highest priorities.
2019年5月27日
Here are some best practices you can take to improve safety when using pneumatic tools, while also decreasing your company’s total cost of operations. Grinding and sanding are safe so long as you follow these simple rules…
Removal tools such as grinders and sanders can pose a significant danger if not used responsibly.
It goes without saying that accidents at work can be devastating to the individual and have significant consequences for the business and its bottom line. Therefore, it’s essential to reduce risks to make sure you’re operating as safely as possible.
But how do you limit the risks when using tools such as pneumatic grinders?
Read the user manual and safety instructions...
Check the air line set up
Correct air line installation is critical for using pneumatic tools safely. Here are some key points:
- To secure the correct speed on your tool, you need to regulate the air pressure to 90 psi (6.3 bars).
- Use an FRL to control pressure, lubricate and clean the air.
- Make sure you have a good, tight connection between the airline and the tool’s inlet. Use TEFLON tape or similar to help achieve this.
Use the right abrasives
1. Speed
If the speed of the grinder exceeds the abrasive’s MOS then you risk becoming the target for randomly projected fragments traveling at about half the speed of a bullet from a pistol. You don’t need much imagination to realize the outcome of that!
2. Size
Use the right size abrasive for your tool. If the disc is too large:
- You will not be able to attach the disc correctly or use the proper guard for this abrasive.
- You risk the speed of the grinder exceeding the abrasive’s MOS, which could have the devasting consequences mentioned above.
Let’s put it simply: large abrasives are not made for small grinders.
3. Operation
We often see an abrasive being used for an application it isn’t built for. It may sound basic, but always use an abrasive designed for the job: i.e. only use a cutting wheel for cutting and a grinding wheel for grinding.
4. Storage
Abrasives will degrade over time if not stored appropriately and they also have a use-by date. Our advice: Throw away abrasives that have not been stored correctly or that have expired.
Follow the pneumatic grinder’s operating recommendations
All is explained in the video:
Key points:
- Consider the environment. Ventilate the area as much as possible and wear appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) for the job, including gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, steel toes and dust masks.
- Use the safety guard and ensure it is well positioned to provide maximum protection – this has been designed for a very good reason. Do NOT remove or alter the guard!
- Check the workpiece is secure and well clamped.
- Make sure that you have a stable operating position. Don’t stand on a slippery or unstable floor!
- Run the tool at free speed for 30 seconds in a safe enclosed area to check it is operating as expected. If there are any abnormal vibrations, stop the tool immediately: it requires maintenance.
- Never apply excessive force during work.
- After switching off the machine, ensure that the abrasive has come to rest before putting down the tool.
Use the tool for what it was designed for and always use high quality abrasives
Safe grinding!
5 Benefits of pneumatic grinders
Download our free technical guide
The secret to productive industrial drilling
2019年7月22日
With the right tool, drill bit and speed, virtually any material can be drilled. Whether you’re drilling through composite material or hardened steel for an oil and gas or metal-working application, the drill’s speed has the most impact on the quality...