RISK ASSESSMENT – Use of Grinders

Creation Date 14.02.17 RA No Review Date Reviewer Review Date Reviewer

Operation / Task Use of Grinders GR.1.RA 05.02.18 Sarah Caruso 01.02.19 Sarah Caruso

Location / Area Workshop Area / Installation Site No changes required No changes required

S = Severity Rating L = Likelyhood RR = Risk Rating

1. Trivial 1. Unlikely occurrence 5 5 10 15 20 25 R Unacceptable risk, plan out or add further controls

Severity
2. Minor Injury 2. Rare occurrence 4 4 8 12 16 20 O Acceptable only if no other method viable and with high level controls in place
3. Over 3 day injury 3. Occasional occurrence 3 3 6 9 12 15 Y Acceptable with suitable controls
4. Major Injury (RIDDOR) 4. Frequent occurrence 2 2 4 6 8 10 G Acceptable, no further action required
5. Fatality 5. Often occurs 1 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
Likelyhood

Who might be Risk Rating Residual Risk

Activity & Risk Control Measures Responsibility
harmed and how? S L IR S L RR

Operator and others 4 3 12 4 1 4 Masons

Changing within close vicinity.
grinding,
Installers
forming, Equipment not  Portable tool is isolated from power supply prior to wheel / disc changing taking place
polishing discs isolated from and plug is tobe kept adjacent to the operator to avoid accidental activation of
or wheels. Workshop
electrical or air machine during blade changing operation.
Manager
supply prior to disc
or wheel change.
Installations
Incorrect selection Manager
 All staff are trained and certified in wheel and disc changing.
of appropriate disc
or wheel for the
rating of the
machine.
 Only skilled / competent personnel carry out wheel / disc changing.
Disc or wheel not
fitted properly
and/or flange nut
not located
properly.
 RISK ASSESSMENT – Use of Grinders

Changing Damaged abrasive 4 3 12  If abrasive wheel is dropped it must be taken out of use and disposed of as wheel 4 1 4 Masons
grinding, wheel fitted causing may be damaged but invisible to naked eye, causing wheel to ‘explode’ and cause
forming,
polishing discs potential to injury. Installers
or wheels. ‘explode’ off
(cont) machine and cause Workshop
injury. Manager

Installations
Manager

Grinding. Operator and others 2 3 6 2 2 4 Masons

Polishing and within close vicinity.  Grinders only to be used by persons assessed as competent and suitably trained
forming of
 Pieces of stone set firmly on work bench and held by clamps Installers
materials and
work pieces.
Contact with disc /  Cuffs on work wear to be close fitting
Workshop
entanglement.  Loose fitting or fabric type gloves that can be grabbed by wheel must be avoided Manager
Causing Cuts,
severe lacerations  Suitable protective gloves to be worn at all times
Installations
due to contact with Manager
grinding or cutting
discs/ wheels.

Grinding. Operator and others 3 3 9  Impact rated goggles to be worn during grinding, Note safety glasses do not offer 3 1 3 Masons
Polishing and within close vicinity. adequate protection from flying sparks / particles
forming of
materials and  Guard in place on grinders – not to be removed under any circumstances Installers
work pieces. Eye injuries caused  Ensure correct disc type selected for the task
Workshop
by shattering discs
 Discs to be mounted by trained and certified personnel only Manager
or flying particles
 Wheels to be checked for wear and defects on a regular basis by a competent person
Installations
Manager
 RISK ASSESSMENT – Use of Grinders

Grinding. Operative 2 3 6  Hearing protection provided to employees BS EN352 2 1 2 Masons

Polishing and
 Hearing protection to be worn at all times when grinding is being carried out.
forming of Damage to hearing
Installers
materials and as noise may  Zone is indicated as a mandatory hearing protection zone
work pieces. exceed 80dB (A) for
short period of time  Review noise survey carried out on the workshop and repeat if necessary Workshop
qwhen cutting, Manager
grinding or  Consider implementing health surveillance in the form of audiometry testing
polishing.
 Suitable facilities are provided for PPE to be stored away from the workplace and Installations
kept clean, staff are advised to use Manager

Grinding. Operator and others 5 3 15  Dust Extraction system must be operating before any machining takes place. 5 1 5 Masons
Polishing and within close vicinity
forming of  RPE provided, face fit tested and worn.
materials and Installers
Dust / respiratory
work pieces.  Excess dust to be cleared on a regular basis – NOT swept. Dust should be hosed
problems caused by down and swept wet or vacuumed using an industrial dust extraction system fitted Workshop
Exposure to silica with HEPA Filter. Manager
dust
 Operatives are trained on the inspection and replacement of filters on RPE Installations
Manager
 Document inspections on correct functioning of RPE

 It is recommended that an adequate LEV system is installed in order to adequately

reduce dust close to the source as well as filtrate dust and avoid expelling directly
into the atmosphere

 Employees to be provided with uniform and facilities to store clothes to eliminate

covering their own clothes in dust and spreading dust

 Employees are advised to change into own clothes before leaving premises to avoid
spreading dust in own vehicles.
 RISK ASSESSMENT – Use of Grinders

Grinding. Operator 2 3 6  Ensure correct tool is selected for the task 2 2 4 Masons
Polishing and
forming of Risk of Hand Arm  Where possible, the use of grinders shall be avoided e.g. cutting carried out by saw
materials and Vibration Syndrome Installers
or CNC machine
work pieces. if tools are used for
prolonged periods  Job rotation to be introduced where possible. Workshop
Manager
 Regular inspections and maintenance of grinders to be carried out to limit
enhancement of vibration due to loose components or ill-maintained equipment Installations
Manager
 All employees complete vibration medical questionnaire on a regular basis and
results are reviewed to monitor changes

 Exact vibration levels in m/s2 are recorded and displayed – Staff have been informed
to monitor time on vibrating tools and ensure levels are not exceeded daily.

 Look to source the latest and lowest emitting vibratory equipment available

 As per findings of health questionnaire and levels of exposure further health

surveillance may be required with the assistance of an occupational health nurse

Grinding. Operator 3 3 9  Where possible, only 110v equipment to be used 3 1 3 Masons

Polishing and
forming of Risk of electrocution  Where 240v used, RCD should be fitted
materials and Installers
work pieces.  Regular inspections of cabling and casings
Workshop
 Faulty or damaged equipment to be removed from use and reported - to be then Manager
disposed of or repaired/replaced
Installations
 Under no circumstances are employees to attempt to repair electrical items. Only Manager
competent persons to do so.

 Ensure electrical installation is inspected at 5 yearly intervals

 Regular work equipment inspections are carried out and findings recorded.

 All portable appliances are PAT tested yearly