Proper training could have avoided grinding wheel accident, highlights HSE

A company that manufactures metal components has been fined after a young worker was seriously injured at its factory, says the BAF. The 20-year-old agency worker suffered a fractured skull and severe facial injuries when a grinding wheel broke on a hand-held grinder he was using. The wheel was thrown from the grinder and smashed through his visor, striking him in the face. The man underwent significant treatment for his injuries, including a 5-hour operation to remove a piece of bone, which was touching his brain, before further reconstructive surgery could be carried out. The man has since returned to work. The Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident and found the worker had not been properly trained in the safe use of the hand-held grinder and the precautions to be taken when changing grinding wheels. The result was that a grinding wheel, which is likely to have been defective prior to use, was fitted to the grinder and subsequently used. This defect may have been identified, had the worker received the correct abrasive wheels training. The employer was fined and ordered to pay costs. After the hearing, a HSE inspector said: "It is vital that workers who use hand-held grinders get appropriate training in their safe use and in how to change the grinding wheels properly. Most importantly, operators need to know how to identify defects. Had this worker undergone such training, he may have been able to identify the defective wheel prior to using it". Not only is it a legal requirement under the PUWER 98 regulation that specifiers, buyers and operators using abrasives are trained in their safe use, it is also essential that this training is carried out to the highest possible standard. The British Abrasive Federation (BAF) has developed an accreditation scheme in an effort to reduce accidents. The BAF Operator Training Course Accreditation Scheme ensures that accredited trainers are delivering safety training to the highest level and BAF recommends that only accredited trainers be used to deliver abrasive safety training. David Hedges, chairman of the BAF says: "Our members not only manufacture and distribute safe, high quality abrasive products, we also recognise that even the safest product in the world can cause injury or death if used incorrectly. Examples of incorrect use are using a wheel without proper machine guarding, over-speeding, lack of personal protective equipment, incorrect mounting and incorrect product selection". The BAF contributes to the design and revision of safety standards through BSI, CEN and ISO and through membership and participation at FEPA (Federation of European Producers of Abrasives). For details of an approved, accredited training provider near you, contact the BAF on info@thebaf.org.uk, telephone 0845 612 1380 or visit http://www.thebaf.org.uk/accredited-trainers.