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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    Sydney
    Posts
    327

    Default "Man killed by angle grinder" news article, 5/2/16

    Hi All,
    Another sad reminder to us all to use machines safely;
    Man killed by angle grinder in horror SE Qld workplace accident - myGC.com.au
    Key points are (if link disappears);
    At Maleny a 59 year old is believed have been struck in the chest by blade of an angle grinder and died.

    Follows from a 2014 death involving an angle grinder; Man, 75, dies in angle grinder accident at Ariah Park | The Daily Advertiser

    Take care everyone,
    A.
    'Waratah' spring hammer by Hands & Scott c.1911- 20, 'Duffy, Todd & Williams' spring hammer c.1920, Premo lathe- 1953, Premo filing machine.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    618

    Default

    I have had the same thing happen to me when using a 9" disc sander many years ago. I was sanding a car door at TAFE when the disc grabbed on the edge of the panel and the sander flicked up into my chest. The disc caught my clothes and after they had wrapped around the disc it stalled with me trying to stop it rotating and knocking my head off my shoulders. The problem I had was the handle was up near my ear and I was trying to hold it stalled and the switch was the type that had to be physically released as it locked on when in use so the operator does not have to hold it on. There is no secondary button to push and I believe they are banned now for good reason. It was a fun few seconds and I dread to think what would have happened if I had lost my grip on the handle.
    CHRIS

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Emerald Central Qld
    Posts
    349

    Default

    I have always removed the locking mechanism from any of my larger grinders and drills as they all will twist your arm off or worse if they grab.

    Michael

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    While its far too early to say what happened in this case but people are ready to"blame" the 9'' angle grinder.Looking back at many cases of injury and death you might find as I did that theres more to it than just some one losing control of a machine that is quite powerful for it's size.

    I have used this sized grinder on and off for 40 years/owned one for twenty and never been injured and never have been close to having an accident.
    I believe my no injury free status is due to the respect I have for what the machine could do to me.

    What are the hazards involved?
    * Using the 9"grinder out of position - ie not in the flat position
    * Using the grinder with out the required guards and handles
    * Using the wrong grinding wheel or disc for the application
    *Dropping the grinder and unknowingly damaging the disc- unseen cracking
    * Fitting a wrong speed range disc to faster RPM grinder
    * Using the grinder with incorrect fitting disc profile and flange nut .example is using a flat disc over a dished flange (its usually a cut disc and un - noticed damage to the disc follows)
    * Not having sufficient upper body strength to adequately control the unit.
    * Using 2 hands on to hold your grinder-its applies to lighter grinders rather than the big ones which is obvious that one is obliged to do this because of the weight.
    * Not being aware of the direction of kickback should the grinder jam and placing the body as to avoid contact.

    While the 9" angle grinder has a fearsome reputation due to its horsepower, the same set set of hazards apply for the smaller sized angle grinders bar the weight and power factors.

    Note the U tubers that show depict angle grinder in their presentations.
    Notice how many don't bother with guards or handles.

    I have had conversions with an ER doctor and it seems angle grinders are the No 1 cause of DIY admissions followed closely by rotary power saws.

    In short folks ,before using an angle grinder it wise to make the check.

    Have you checked your angle grinder lately?


    Grahame

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike4 View Post
    I have always removed the locking mechanism from any of my larger grinders and drills as they all will twist your arm off or worse if they grab.

    Michael
    I take it you mean the disc locking mechanism?
    If so, it must be an effort to replace a worn disc if you are not using a key less locking nut.

  6. #6
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Perth
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    I have had conversions with an ER doctor and it seems angle grinders are the No 1 cause of DIY admissions followed closely by rotary power saws.

    DIYAccidents.jpg

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9,088

    Default

    I was thinking along the same lines as Bob

    This one has the numbers
    http://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/...8427/haz41.pdf

    Stuart

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    618

    Default

    I am sure he means the switch lock that can be engaged for long periods of use. In the older grinders the switch lock automatically engaged, something that is not seen these days as it has been banned from use. To unlock it required the switch to be further pushed in from memory but it has been a long time since I used one.
    CHRIS

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Guys,
    What I am concerned with is anything that will change the mindset of some using a tool which can easily injure or kill.

    Its not stats I seek but but how to get inexperienced AG users to think and act defensively.

    If we can help just one person its worthwhile.

    Grahame

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Emerald Central Qld
    Posts
    349

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    Chris Parks is correct , I have disabled all power switch locking mechanisms on my drills and grinders, that way if there is a jam just release and it stops.

    I did this because I had a 1/2 inch drill nearly screw my wrist apart when the bit jammed while drilling in heavy plate , that was a 850 rpm Black&Decker,.

    I still have it and its minus the little black button which locks the switch.

    Michael

  11. #11
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Perth
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stustoys View Post
    I was thinking along the same lines as Bob

    This one has the numbers
    http://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/...8427/haz41.pdf

    Stuart
    That one has more/later data. I also have that one just couldn't find it to post.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Bunbury WA
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    98

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    I take it you mean the disc locking mechanism?
    If so, it must be an effort to replace a worn disc if you are not using a key less locking nut.
    No he means the locking of the trigger in the on position. I have a Ryobi two speed drill and being left handed often press the button without realising it till the bugger grabs.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    QLD
    Posts
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stustoys View Post
    I was thinking along the same lines as Bob

    This one has the numbers
    http://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/...8427/haz41.pdf

    Stuart
    Interesting, the peak age for DIY fatalities is 60-69. The most common cause is falls from ladders. DIY grinder injurys peak around ages 25-34.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Ballina, NSW
    Posts
    900

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    and... watch out for wire brush wheels on angle grinders - I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had the wheel kick and catch a bit of clothing.

    also, I don't know how many of you follow the SVSeeker boat build on youtube, but the guy on there is very fond of buying 7" grinders, removing the guards and handles, fitting 9" blades to them and then handing them out to volunteers to use. The MO seems there seems to be to use your second hand too put downward pressure over the disk spindle, but apart from that, it's more or less a one handed operation.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WelderMick View Post
    and... watch out for wire brush wheels on angle grinders - I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had the wheel kick and catch a bit of clothing.

    also, I don't know how many of you follow the SVSeeker boat build on youtube, but the guy on there is very fond of buying 7" grinders, removing the guards and handles, fitting 9" blades to them and then handing them out to volunteers to use. The MO seems there seems to be to use your second hand too put downward pressure over the disk spindle, but apart from that, it's more or less a one handed operation.
    Yeah, I've watched his series. Makes me cringe. I have *one* angle grinder without the guard on it, and that one has one of those blue paint stripper disks on it. It's still bloody dangerous.

    Taking the guards off is not real bright IMO. Same as not wearing eye and hearing protection. A welder's jacket is good for stopping wire wheel stray spikes from impaling you too.

    PDW

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