Hand injury from portable handheld Angle Grinder

What happened? A worker was injured whilst cleaning equipment using a portable handheld angle grinder fitted with a wire brush. The rotating brush caught an edge and kicked into the worker’s gloved left hand. The glove was pulled into the rotating wire brush resulting in a deep abrasion to the hand. What were the causes? What went wrong?

• The task risk assessment was incomplete.
• The grinder was being used without the side grip handle fitted;
• No consideration was given to where to place the hand relative to the rotating brush;
• Given the operator’s position, the grinder […]

  This content is for BHHC Safety Center policy holders.

  If you are a BHHC policy holder, login to access compliant safety training, tools and videos.

  Don’t have a username and password? Click here to register and get instant access.

  Don’t know if you are still a BHHC policy holder? Questions regarding online services and registration may be directed to BHHC’s Customer Care Center at (888) 495-8949.