Angle grinder fatality prompts calls for increased safety

24/05/2012 - Consumers are being urged to take the necessary safety precautions when using angle grinders following a fatality involving a hand-held grinder in New South Wales last week.

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Abrasives manufacturer Saint-Gobain is calling for consumers to make their selection of tools carefully with safety top of mind.

"The trade market is becoming increasingly flooded with cheap imports of unknown quality and safety standards, making the issue of personal safety more serious than ever before," Steven Chaur, managing director of Saint-Gobain Pacific Region said.

"We are consistently advising our customers and distributors to prioritise safety (over price) by relying only on the track record trusted brands known for expertise in making safe grinding wheels."

"Often we come across cases where people have removed guarding from grinders, used incorrect wheels for the job, not worn correct PPE or tried to over flex the wheel.

"Wheels are getting so much thinner with new technology, so consumers need to let the wheel do the cutting, not use brute force applied to the grinder as often is the case.

"Also, abrasive cutting wheels do have life span and any wheel past 2 years old will have lower performance generally."

Source: AAP

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Have your say...

ross freshwater | 20/12/2012 08:48 1

all angle grinders above 125mm should have an inertia operated brake. Stihl have had it perfected for 3 decades......wake up!!!!!!

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