What Are Abrasive Wheels?

An abrasive wheel is formed when particles are bonded together with a variety of substances.

They are a common feature in many manufacturing and construction industries.

The regulations cover a variety of equipment types:

» Pedestal grinders

» Handheld portable disc cutters

» Bench grinders

» Handheld portable grinders

ALMOST HALF OF ALL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ABRASIVE  WHEELS ARE DUE TO OPERATOR ERROR OR UNSAFE SYSTEMS OF WORK.

Mounting and Assembly

Abrasive wheels must be mounted and assembled correctly. They should only be assembled on the machine for which they are intended.

If abrasive wheels are not mounted correctly, this can cause excessive vibration and wheel breakage.

Inspecting and Testing

Abrasive wheels should be unpacked carefully and checked for signs of damage.

You will also need to check the grinding machine to make sure it’s safe and in good working order.

Storage

Storing abrasive wheels correctly, can prolong their life. This also makes them less susceptible to damage.

Storage racks, bins or shelves should be available to store wheels of different sizes. Wheels with tapered edges or of different diameters may be supported on their edges or hooked onto a rack.

Guards

Guards are a common feature of most grinding equipment and they have two main functions:

1. They contain the components or material if the wheel bursts

2. They prevent you coming into contact with the wheel during operation

Guards also prevent the wrong sized wheels from being fitted, and they offer additional protection against splashes, noise and vapour.

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