17.4.2 Grinder Safety
Follow these safety guidelines when working with grinders:
- Ensure that no combustible or flammable materials are nearby that could be ignited by sparks from the grinder wheel.
- Ensure that a guard covers at least 270 degrees of the grinding wheel on bench-mounted machines.
- Periodically check grinder wheels for soundness. Suspend the wheel on a string and tap it. If the wheel rings, it is probably sound. A dull sound indicates cracks in the wheel.
- Place the grinder tool rest 1/8 inch from the wheel and slightly above the center line.
- Allow the grinder to reach full speed before feeding material into the grinding position. Faulty wheels usually break at the start of an operation.
- Unless otherwise designed, grind on the face of the wheel.
- Use a locking plier or clamp to hold small pieces.
- Slowly move work pieces across the face of a wheel in a uniform manner. This will keep the wheel sound, and maintain a flat cutting surface.
- Do not grind non-ferrous materials.
- Replace wheels that are badly worn or cracked.
- Never use a wheel that has been dropped or received a heavy blow, even if there is no apparent damage.
- Before using a new wheel, let it run a few seconds at full speed to make sure it is balanced.