Are eye shields required on bench grinders
Andrew Mccoy
Updated on April 01, 2026
Another hazard associated with bench grinders is eye injuries. … Furthermore, they may provide a false sense of security, that eye and face protection is not necessary. Many are surprised to learn that OSHA regulations mention nothing about having a clear plastic shield.
Does OSHA require guards on grinders?
A safety guard shall cover the spindle end, nut and flange projections. … Safety guards used on machines known as right angle head or vertical portable grinders shall have a maximum exposure angle of 180 deg., and the guard shall be so located so as to be between the operator and the wheel during use.
What safety precautions do you need to take when working with grinders?
never use a grinder between your legs while sitting on the floor. stop at regular intervals for a short break to rest your hands and arms. never put a grinder down until the disc stops rotating. remove the plug from the power point before changing discs.
What PPE is required when using a bench grinder?
Wear proper personal protective equipment: eye, ear and face protection,metatarsal safety boots, where required, respiratory protection may be required, depending on the work.What is the OSHA standard for bench grinders?
Floor and bench-mounted grinders shall be provided with work rests which are rigidly supported and readily adjustable. Such work rests shall be kept at a distance not to exceed one-eighth inch from the surface of the wheel.
What material should never be ground on a bench grinding wheel?
Do not grind/sand wood, plastic, or any other non-metallic materials. Don’t use this wheel if you have not reviewed all of the safety materials and have not been properly trained in the use of the tool and wheel.
Does a bench grinder need to be bolted down OSHA?
Machinery, such as grinders or buffers, must be secured to a work bench or pedestal and the bench or pedestal, in turn, must be secured to the floor to prevent walking or moving.
Should you wear gloves when using bench grinder?
Never wear gloves with grinders. Or operate grinders with guards removed. By “grinders,” we mean abrasive belt grinders, bench grinders, pedestal grinders, surface grinders, and also abrasive cutoff machines.What grips the grinding wheel?
In reality, the wheels on a car are similar to the flanges on a grinder because they both transmit rotation from a shaft to another component. On a car, the wheels link the drive axles to the tires, while on a grinder, the flanges link the arbor to the grinding wheel.
What should you avoid when using portable grinders?Never use the grinder without wearing all the personal protective equipment and clothing such as goggles, helmets, masks, ear protection, gloves, leather aprons etc. Also ensure that the personal protective equipment and tools are in proper condition before using them.
Article first time published onWhy should eye protection be used when operating a grinder?
Why should eye protection be used when operating a grinder? To protect the worker’s eyes from sparks. To protect the worker’s eyes from flying fragments, if the wheel breaks.
Are 9 inch grinders banned in Qld?
In August 2015, a worker on a DHA site suffered an electric shock from using a 9 inch grinder. This type of equipment is prohibited on many construction sites in Queensland and throughout Australia due to a historically large number of injuries from kickback and shattering of blades.
How many percent of the grinding wheel should be covered by the wheel guard?
The maximum angular exposure of the grinding wheel periphery and sides for safety guards used on grinders known as automatic snagging machines shall not exceed 180 deg. and the top half of the wheel shall be enclosed at all times.
What is a tongue guard on a grinder?
There are normally three “guards” found on a bench grinder – the tongue guards, work rests and spark shield. The tongue guards are metal plates located at the upper part of the wheel opening. They are designed to stop pieces of the grinding wheel from flying out in the event the wheel shatters.
When grinding the operator should not stand?
Do not stand in direct line with the grinding wheel when using the grinder. Stand to the side so that if a piece of the grinder wheel is thrown off it will not hit you. 5.
What is the maximum gap between a bench grinder grinding wheel?
The grinder tool rest gap is not larger than 1/6 inch. No chips, cracks or breaks are present.
What side of the grinding wheel should be used to grind objects?
Grind evenly across the face, avoid creating ruts in the wheel. Do not use the side of a grinding wheel, just the face. Side pressure can cause a wheel to crack. Do not grind too hard, do not try and take off too much material too fast, use the right tool for the right job.
What do Guards do to protect workers?
Guards provide physical barriers that prevent access to dangerous areas. Safeguarding devices either prevent or detect operator contact with the point of operation or stop potentially hazardous machine motion if any part of a worker’s body is within the hazardous portion of the machine.
When it comes to operating a bench grinder which of the following guarding tips is a true statement select the best answer?
Always wear safety glasses or eye shields when operating the grinder. Eye shields attached to the grinders do not provide adequate eye protection for the bench or pedestal grinders. Only one student is permitted in the grinder operator’s zone.
Does a wire wheel need a guard?
Wire wheels should have at least an upper wheel cover, if cleaning large items such as axes or shovels and a full wheel cover as required for abrasive wheels with a tongue guard if doing other types of cleaning or polishing work.
Why is grinding preferred at higher wheel speeds?
High grinding speed provides increased material removal rate, but it also introduces the problem of high grinding temperature. … However, the wear of an individual grit on the surface of grinding wheel may not have a large effect on the grinding wheel performance.
When grinding small pieces of metal with the bench grinder the metal should be held with?
Small work pieces should be held by a vise while using the portable grinder and with vise grips while using the stationary grinder. If the pieces are too small to handle they should not be machined with a grinder.
Should be used while grinding?
Always wear safety glasses, face shield, protective gloves, suitable protective clothing, hard hat, steel toe boots and hearing protection and dust mask if necessary. Keep other employees away while operating power tools. Always use proper guard with grinding wheel, it protects operator from broken wheel fragments.
Can you use a grinder without a handle?
Don’t use the grinder without a side handle. … Be sure the switch properly turns the grinder on and off. If not, do not use the tool until necessary repairs are made. Ensure that the grinder is unplugged before mounting or removing a wheel.
Which safety device protects eyes while grinding?
Grinding. To protect against flying particles when grinding, wear safety glasses with side shields at a minimum. Goggles provide additional eye protection against impact from particles and should be worn along with a face shield to protect the face if exposure to particles will be severe.
Which area should be avoided when grinding with the portable disc grinder?
Never grind with the portable disc grinder in an area which houses flammable materials or combustible gases. 6.
What type of eye protection should be used while performing grinding work?
Spectacles and goggles should protect the eye area from direct impact. Some goggles also provide additional protection from dust, mist and splash conditions. Face shields are designed to cover the eye area but also to protect the face against certain flying objects.
Can I use a larger disc on an angle grinder?
Yes but there are limits. Friend of mine was using a large diameter cut-off disc in his angle grinder when the disc exploded.
What are 9 inch grinders used for?
Angle grinders are one of the most dangerous tools in any workplace. They are used for cutting, grinding and polishing work.
What should be done before installing a grinding wheel?
Inspect the machine and its guards. Check the machine’s speed with a tachometer before mounting grinding wheels. NEVER USE A DAMAGED MACHINE. Clean arbor and flanges before mounting a grinding wheel.
Why it is not OK to use a grinding wheel that has been dropped on the floor?
Do not use a wheel that has been dropped, even if it appears undamaged. It could potentially be weakened or unbalanced enough to cause it to disintegrate when used. OSHA requires that wheels be closely inspected visually and also ring-tested before mounting them on the grinder.