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Fatality: grinder incident - DEV imca
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Fatality: grinder incident

A member has reported a fatality which occurred during preparation of surfaces for welding. A welder was using an angle grinder for the preparation work when the disk of the grinder disintegrated. The hand-held angle grinder was fitted with a 230mm diameter cutting-off wheel, and when it disintegrated, fragments penetrated the victim’s chest and abdomen. He was taken to hospital by rescue helicopter, but died the same day.

The investigation showed that the angle grinder and cutting disk were not compatible and that the angle grinder had not been fitted with a guard

The company involved has reiterated that grinding machines should always be used in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions, noting in particular that:

  • the maximum speed marked on the abrasive wheel should always be greater than the maximum rated speed of the grinder;
  • grinding wheels should not exceed the recommended maximum diameter for any given grinding machine;
  • worn down wheels from other machines should not be used;
  • grinding tools should never be used without the wheel guard attached to the tool and positioned for maximum safety;
  • abrasive wheels should be stored and handled with care. They should be inspected for chips and cracks before installation and any apparently damaged wheels taken out of use, marked and stored for inspection/disposed of securely.

Safety Event

Published: 1 March 2005
Download: IMCA SF 03/05

IMCA Safety Flashes
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IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding safetyreports@imca-int.com to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.

IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained. The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual’s or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.