L & T Heavy Engineering Theme Based Discussion Doc.-L&T Hazira/EHS Dept.

/TBT/Safety in
Grinding Operation
on “Safety in Grinding Operation”

Hazards / Attributes: Risks:

Generation of Noise Noise induced hearing loss
Flying abrasive dust particles / object Eye injury
Use of defective grinding wheel & wrong selection of Bursting of grinding wheel / any other part
grinding machine – wheel w.r.t. RPM or applying too resulting in serious or fatal injury
much pressure while grinding or grinding at wrong angle
or in wrong direction or trying to stop the
grinding wheel forcefully by pressing it against job or
floor after switching it off
Wrong working posture Back pain, arm joint pain
Bare conductor of power cable or damage insulation Fatal, severe or minor injury due to Electrical
shock, burns, cardio pulmonary arrest
Grinding in uneven surfaces or corner Fatal, severe or minor cut injury due to imbalance
of the posture while grinding
Slippery surfaces due to grinding dust Fall, slip or trip
No guard on wheel, Fire due to spatters come in contact with
Use by unskilled / untrained person flammable material like Gas cylinder / Gas hose
Lack of maintenance of machine line / PT material etc.
Unsafe Storage of wheel / machine
Machine not made OFF if not in use Injury due accidental start of the machine unknowingly
Handling of machine without switch off from panel
1. DO’s:-

Do check all the wheels for cracks, moisture, or other damage before mounting on grinding m/c.

Do check machine speeds against approved operating speed of the wheel.

Use right spanner to mount or dis mantling of wheel

Machine speed should not be more than grinding wheel speed.

Do always run wheel in protected area for at least one minute before grinding.

Use proper size of guard and its fitting during grinding operation.

Ensure leveled platform and Make safe position before start grinding. Use proper stool to sit

Before starting of grinding operation, use proper PPE’s. (Helmet with grinding shield (ideal), proper
clothing, nose mask, Leather hand gloves, full hand sleeve, leg guard, Cotton hood, safety shoe,
hand gloves etc.)

Check electrical cables & it should be in good condition. If using metallic body grinding machine,
please ensure its body earthling. Also, ensure that connection is taken through ELCB

Check for any loose connection before starting the work & the cable should be free from joints.

For changing of grinding wheel / after completion of grinding, first ensure complete electrical cut-
off of the grinder and ensure dead man switch ism functional). Ensure that grinding wheel is always
away from your body parts even when it is not running.

Remove all kind of flammable material nearby area e.g. DA, LPG Cylinders, cotton waste, acetone
can etc.

While doing grinding at narrow place take precaution like proper position, intermediate grinding,
and proper illumination.

Do check for smooth movement of machine on job.

Position yourself in such a way that sparks not coming towards gangway or striking to electrical
panel.

Use shield wherever possible to protect other workmen

Hold grinding m/c firmly from handle during operation

Switch Off power supply from HF Panel while changing wheel

Position yourself in such a way that sparks not coming towards gangway or striking to electrical
panel.

Heat resistant sleeve to be used while grinding on hot surface
 L & T Heavy Engineering Theme Based Discussion Doc.-L&T Hazira/EHS Dept./TBT/Safety in
Grinding Operation
on “Safety in Grinding Operation”

2. DONT’S:-
× Don’t use damaged wheels.
× Don’t use excessive pressure during grinding (This unsafe practice may cause wheels breakage)
and Don’t use grinding machine w/o handle
× Don’t use Cut- off wheels for grinding.
× Don’t drop the wheels during handling.
× Don’t tamper electrical connections.
× Do not attempt to grind in enclosed vessels or tanks until safety precautions have been taken
(illumination / ventilation / free from toxic or explosive gas or dust).
× Don’t handle machine carelessly.
× Don’t mount more than one wheel on a single m/c.
× Don’t allow untrained persons to operate the machine.
× Don’t allow sparks fall on gas cylinders, gas hose pipes etc.
× Don’t pull / lower the machine by using cable
× Do not sit on substandard or uneven platform
× Do not make the mistake of keeping the grinder switch on before starting switching on the
main supply from CMB.
× Don’t stop grinding wheel by hand while changing the wheel
× Do not use improper tools to mount or dismantling of wheel
 L & T Heavy Engineering Theme Based Discussion Doc.-L&T Hazira/EHS Dept./TBT/Safety in
Grinding Operation
on “Safety in Grinding Operation”

Grinding Related Accident Sharing

Person was assigned work of grinding on long seam Person was doing SAW welding of nozzle of job
of TSR ring. He was using mini-straight grinder in 3G inside Y-ring. Now he was required to do grinding
position and of nozzle. For that, IP was changing wheel of long
Was holding the neck grinder. During this process, grinding machine
grinder as shown turned one side. As a result the grinder switch
in photograph. In touched the shell surface and turned ON due to
the process, grinder worn-out stopper. Spanner touched the rotating
slipped from his wheel and struck on head of IP.
hand and rotating
wheel struck his left
hand. It was reported
that, IP was wearing
TIG-gloves during
grinding.

Person was doing grinding inside shell of job. After
grinding of some area, He turned big surface grinding
machine upside down and started grinding again as
shown in photograph. During this, his hand slipped
and touched with rotating wheel. He sustained cut
injury on his right hand index finger.
Person was performing grinding activity on job
bottom support ring with big surface grinding
machine. During grinding, machine guard got
loosened and turned downwards. At that time his
left hand index finger came in contact with rotating
wheel and he sustained cut injury on his left hand
index finger.