Abrasive Wheels

Abrasive wheels can be found across a wide range of industrial tasks, from handheld angle grinders to fixed cutting-off machines. They’re powerful and useful, but they can cause serious harm if they’re misused.

This course will introduce you to the essentials of handling abrasive wheels safely. We’ll explore the main types of abrasive wheels and the hazards they bring, the law and associated responsibilities, how to inspect and set up a wheel correctly, and when to stop work and speak up. It’s important to prevent harm before it happens.

Learning Objectives

Identify the main types of abrasive wheels and where they’re used across industrial settings
Describe the key legal duties relating to abrasive wheel safety and explain the responsibilities of employers and employees
Summarise the main hazards and risks associated with abrasive wheels, including wheel burst, ejection, contact injuries, noise, vibration and dust
Outline the correct pre-use inspection for abrasive wheels, including visual checks, the ring test and speed rating, and explain when to take a wheel out of service
Describe the requirements for safe mounting, guarding, storage and use of abrasive wheels, including flanges, blotters and machine guards
Recognise when to stop work and report a concern, and explain why you must never use a wheel without authorisation or adequate training