Using construction machinery in your everyday job is dangerous enough if health and safety is not adhered to. Abrasive wheels, despite being small, can be incredibly dangerous if correct training has not been provided. Have you got sufficient knowledge to use them on site?
Find out more about our NPORS training courses, and how you can book with us here at the Diggerland Plant Training School.
WHAT ARE ABRASIVE WHEELS?
Abrasive wheels can also be referred to as cutting or even grinding wheels.
They are solid discs made from Aluminium oxide and Silicon carbide. Primarily, they are used to cut and grind materials. For example, they are very efficient in cutting through metals and concrete.
They got their name as it refers to the particles which have been joined together when the wheels were made.
So what are they used for?
Workers will connect the abrasive wheels to equipment such as petrol saws, angle grinders and other handheld machines. Carpenters, construction workers and anyone looking to carry out some DIY at home would often use an angle grinder, along with the wheels to cut through different materials.
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF OPERATING ABRASIVE WHEELS?
As abrasive wheels are fitted to handheld machines, this makes them a particular dangerous type of machinery, if not used correctly. Our training course will cover the dangers of operating abrasive wheels, however here’s a few:
Wheel breakage
It is common for abrasive wheels to break, or materials to jam them up. Should this happen, broken particles and objects will fly out from the machine, potentially causing harm to the user. This can be avoided by ensure the following are adhered to:
- Only using on the correct materials
- Checking that the speed is not equal or greater than the machines RPM (revolutions per minute)
Once breakages happen, the first solution is to try and fix the machine. This is also another potential hazard for anyone carrying out maintenance.
Dust
With any construction related task, there is always the risk of excess dust and smoke. Serious respiratory issues are a likely consequence of inhaling harmful pollutants, which is why the correct face covering would need to be worn.
Noise
The most obvious danger is the noise levels. Noise protectors should be worn to prevent hearing loss when operating.
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome
Also abbreviated to HAVS, is a condition commonly caused by operating vibratory machinery. Long term use can cause damage to the nerves, joints and muscles, likely leading to permanent injuries.
The only way to use them safely is to ensure you have the correct PPE, training and safe equipment!
NPORS N301A ABRASIVE WHEELS AWARENESS COURSE CONTENT
Book onto our half day abrasive wheels awareness training course, and be qualified for 5 years. Our instructors will provide in depth training through the use of theory and practical assessments. Anyone interested in booking onto the course will expect to cover the following:
- Hazards and risk control measures linked with Abrasive Wheels
- Types of abrasive wheel machines
- Safety checks that will need to be carried out before using
- Correct use, setting, adjustment and inspection of flanges, guards and any accessories
- How to equip abrasive wheels onto equipment such as a hand angle grinder, saw and even bench grinders
- Learning about the PPE that will need to be used / worn
This course is particularly useful for anyone that will operator, supervise or even manage employees using abrasive wheels.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP…
Additionally, we also offer the NPORS N301b Abrasive Wheels with Practical Cutting/Grinding Course. On top of the above course features, individuals will also learn:
- Practical set up and grinding operations using a variety of Abrasive Wheel and equipment
- Safe operation, including ill health control measure requirements
We often have workers book onto the abrasive wheels awareness course and book onto this course with us before they leave!
CONTACT THE DIGGERLAND PLANT TRAINING SCHOOL
Are you ready to book onto our upcoming Abrasive Wheels courses? Book onto our NPORS training courses today by contacting a member of the team. All of our training is carried out at our 3 UK locations, based at Diggerland Kent, Durham or Yorkshire. Alternatively, we can send our instructors to your choice of site.
Call: 01634 295355 or email: mail@digger.school
We also advertise any last minute spaces on upcoming courses on our social media. Give us a follow!
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