Grinder Safety Applications in

Agriculture Shops

OSHA Standard(s)
1910.215 and 1926.303

Produced by
Idaho State University
Office of Workforce Training
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 “This material was produced under grant SH22228SH1
from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect
the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor
does mention of trade names, commercial products, or
organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.”

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 OSHA and Agriculture
 Not all farms fall under OSHA jurisdiction
 Who is exempt: Farms that only employ
immediate family members or farms with 10 or
less employees (this exemption, however, does
not apply if the operation has maintained a
temporary labor camp within the last twelve
months, OSHA directive CPL 02-00-51)
 Additional state guidelines may apply
 Repair shops, big or small usually
have grinders present
 Farm equipment needs weekly, monthly,
and annual services. Grinding may be a
part of this.
Preoperational checks in an Ag
repair setting
 What is wrong?
 Grinding wheel is plugged with aluminum.
 Space between wheel and pedestal is
excessive.
 Wheel needs to be changed.
 Clear plastic shield is unserviceable.
 What to check for:
CFR 1926.303 (d)
 Wheel must be rated at a higher RPM than
the grinder is rated.
 Perform ring test on replacement wheel.
 Distance between pedestal and wheel cannot
exceed 1/8”
 Wheel must be free of non-ferrous metals
(e.g., copper, lead, aluminum)
 Secure wheel with equal pressure, washers
 Always unplug or de-energize grinder
 Personal Protective Equipment
 Safety glasses CFR 1926.303 (c)(9)
 Clear or tinted face shield
 No loose clothing or hair
 Hearing protection
 Start up procedures
 After completing preoperational checks . .
 Stand off to the side of the grinder to start
it up.
 Let the wheel turn for approximately one
minute.
 Check wheel for balance and alignment.
 Turn off grinder if it is out of balance.
 Hazards
 Entanglement
 Contact
 Fragmentation
 Sparks
 Debris
 Eye injury
 Trueing/dressing the wheel
 Unplug grinder, set pedestal distance to 1/8”.
 Spin wheel by hand to identify high spots
 Select dressing tool that is in good working
order.
 Start up machine, standing off to the side.
 With PPE on, rest de-burring tool on pedestal
and gently begin trueing process
 Turn off grinder, re-evaluate wheel
 Wheel dresser
 Typical example and use of a wheel
dresser
 Why dress the wheel?
 Keeps pores clean that may be otherwise
plugged. Ag applications cover all types of
metals.
 Clean pores cut better.
 Clogged pores will require more force, thus
more probability of damaging the stone or
wheel. Injuries occur with more force.
 Dressing a wheel will help it to rotate
properly, less vibration from being out of
balance.
 Conduct ring test
CFR 1910.215 (d)(1)
 Ring test is used to determine grinder
wheel soundness.
 Hold new wheel on a dowel.
 Tap all four quadrants of the wheel.
 Listen for a distinct “ring” from the wheel.
 A dull thud or dead sound means the new
wheel is defective.
 Ring test
 Quadrant or sectors of the grinding wheel
 General maintenance
CFR 1926.303 (b)(1)
 Inspect cords
 Make sure all guards are in place
 Look for evidence of misuse, damage, or
electrical issues
 Inspect grinder wheel: groove, chunks
missing, loose bolts/nuts, and balance of
wheel
 Preparation for welding, painting,
or other repairs
 Hand grinders are very useful when used
correctly. Any issues with this scene?
 Using a hand grinder
 Inspect tool for serviceability
 Is disk the right size, rating, and
condition?
 Inspect cord
 Make sure all guards are in place
 Check switches
 Hand grinder safety
 Clear flammables from work area
 Wear safety glasses, face shield, and
hearing protection
 NO loose clothing
 Do not lock power switch in “on” position
 Set up screens to protect others and
equipment
 Do not bind grinder, or bear down too hard
 You never know where or when
you will break down
 Many repairs can be made in the shop
 Grinding techniques
 Do not grind in areas or in positions where
grinder will bind and “kick” back
 Use a grinder for its intended use only
 Ease metal parts gently and gradually into
pedestal grinders
 Move material slowly across the face of the
wheel
 Do not cut grooves
 Helpful hints
 Always use a wheel or disk rated at or
above the RPM of the grinder
 Keep disks or wheels stored in a safe, dry
place
 Avoid using disks or wheels that are
damaged
 Dress wheels as often as required
 Risks
 Storage
 Handling
 Mounting
 Operator error
 Fire
 Evaluation

Produced by
Idaho State University
Office of Workforce Training
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