Grinder Safety -Hazards, Precautions, PPE

Grinder Safety -Hazards, Precautions, PPE

Grinder Machine Hazards :

All types of grinding machines, whether pedestal, bench mounted, free-standing or portable, can be potentially hazardous if they are not well maintained and used correctly. In addition to the common hazards of flying particles, dust and sparks, shattering abrasive wheel while in Motion can cause severe injury to both the user and others. To avoid a potential hazard, we need to follow Grinder Safety 

Grinding Machine Operator Competency :

· Only competent personnel trained in the use of grinding machine shall be allowed to use portable grinders.

· Personnel tasked to use grinders shall attend grinder safety training before they are allowed to use grinding machines.

Grinder machine Safety Precautions

· Grinders shall Be equipped with the ‘dead man switch’. Self-modification of the toggle Switch to function as a ‘dead man switch’ is strictly prohibited as the tool may not have been designed to be used in that manner and maybe a poor decision from an Ergonomic perspective.

· All handheld grinding machines shall be complete with handle or commonly known as the ‘T’ bar. Removal of the handle during use is strictly prohibited.

· Each grinding machine shall be fitted with its correct guard as supplied by the manufacturer. The guard shall cover a minimum of 70% of the circumference of the rotating disc.

· Unbreakable glass / plastic screen shall be fit on All pedestal/static grinding machines which can be adjusted to protect against flying particles.

· All pedestal/static grinding machines must have an efficient starting and stopping device, which is easily accessible.

· Each grinding machine shall be inspected regularly before use, and colour coded

· Abrasive wheels, grinding or cutting discs without the manufacturer’s maximum RPM marked shall not be used.

· RPM (rotation per minute) of the wheel shall be more than a grinding machine if machine RPM exceeds than a wheel can break easily.

· Grinding and cutting discs are different in the manufacture and shall therefore only be used for its intended purpose. Cutting wheel is only allowed for cutting do not do grinding using cutting wheel, chances of breaking. They shall be stored separately and physically identified to avoid selection error.

· Proper PPE, including double eye protection such as the use of goggles underneath of a shatter-resistant face shield and an inhalation mask such as dust mask, Leather gloves shall be worn by all personnel operating grinding machines.

· Work areas around pedestal / static abrasive wheels equipment shall be kept clear of obstructions to reduce the risk of tripping hazards.

· Screens shall be erected by fire blanked around welding/grinding works to prevent flying sparks showering nearby personnel/equipment.

· Cables shall be run neatly in a manner and shall hang on insulated hangers that do not cause tripping hazards.

· When changing the grinding disc of the grinder, the power source shall be isolated and the plug physically removed.

· Expiry year of shall be visible on the disk. Do not use an expired grinding disk. & do not use a wheel without an expiry date.

· Subjected Work-pieces shall be secured using proper clamps. Holding the work piece onto one hand while performing grinding operations is strictly prohibited.

· Due to the possibility of a wheel disintegrating during start-up, employees shall be briefed not to stand directly in front of the wheel as it accelerates to full operating speed.

· Worn out / damaged, grinding or cutting disc shall be replaced. When changing the disc, proper tools shall be use.

· All worn out / damaged, grinding or cutting disc shall be returned to the stores at the end of each shift to ensure that they are dispose of properly.

· The power source shall be isolated and the plug physically removed while not in operation.

Hot Work / Welding Safety – Hazard, Precautions & PPE

Hot Work / Welding Safety – Hazard, Precautions & PPE

Job that involves spark, source of ignition and fire comes under Hot work. Example: welding, cutting, heating. 

Hazards of hot work:

· Fire and burn injuries.

· Health hazards.

· Electrocution and electric fire.

· Mechanical hazards.

· Compressed gas hazards.

Hot work Safety precautions & control measures

· Hot Work permit is required to start hot work activity. Adhere to PTW & Hot work procedures of client.

· LEL level shall be zero to start hot work activity

· Welding work on any tank, vessel or piping shall only be undertaken when it has been positively isolated from all sources of flammable hazards and established that it is free of flammable vapors or substances.

· Gas testing should be done around 15 meter radius of hot work.

· Welding booth shall be made at Welding location. Welding location shall be fully covered with fire blanket.

· Where hot works are carried out at elevated work areas where fire spatter may fall to the ground below, the area directly below shall be covered by fire blanket, and access below shall be barricaded.

· Compressed gas cylinder safety guide line shall be followed

· Good housekeeping shall be maintained at work site. All combustible material shall remove from 8 meter radius of hot work. The welding work area shall at all times be kept clean of combustible and flammable material. Used welding rods, grinding discs, etc. shall be collected and not thrown around.

· Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be immediately available in the work area and shall be maintained in a state of readiness for use. (Usually 2 number of 9kg DCP fire extinguisher)

· A trained fire watcher shall be deployed for all hot work areas. The fire watcher shall maintain watch for the area identified as hazardous area in the permit to work and shall remain in the location 30 minutes after the hot work (actual welding) have ceased.

· Inspection should be done of welding machine and power tools used for hot work.

· Compressed gas cylinder safety guidelines shall be followed

· Where hot works are carried out at elevated work areas where fire spatter may fall to the ground below, the area directly below shall be covered by fire blanket, and access below shall be barricaded.

· Welding equipment, gas cylinders and, other apparatus used to perform hot works shall be located in a manner that it does not present a hazard to personnel.

· Equipment shall be kept clear from access ways.

· Generators shall be equipped with spark arrestors if being used in brown field / live plant areas.

· Cable and other equipment shall be kept clear of passage ways, ladders, and stairs.

· Cables in need of repair shall not be used.

· Cables and hoses shall be kept clear from access ways and be suspended on insulated cable hangers at least 2 meters higher above grade level.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) :

Personnel performing welding, cutting and grinding works shall wear suitable protective equipment prior to performing the intended works.

· Suitable eye and face protection.

· Shatter resistant face shields for grinding operations.

· Helmets that are compatible with welding hoods, face shields etc.

· Protective clothing to minimize the potential for ignition, burning, trapping hot sparks, or electric shocks such as:

· Gloves – Flame resistant gloves for welders and cutters

· Apron – Flame resistant aprons for welders to protect the front of the body as a protection against sparks and radiant energy

· Leggings – For heavy work, flame resistant or other equivalent means shall be used to provide added protection to the legs

· Ear protection – Noise resulting from hot works shall be controlled at source where feasible. When control methods fail to bring noise exposure within allowable limits (85dBA) ear muffs or ear plugs shall be used.

· Respiratory Protective Equipment – When controls such as ventilation fail to reduce air contaminants to allowable levels or when the implementation of such controls are not feasible, RPE shall be used to protect personnel from hazardous concentrations of airborne contaminants.

HOT WORK SAFETY

HOT WORK SAFETY 

Any work involving welding, brazing, soldering, heat treating, grinding, powder-actuated tools, hot riveting and all other similar applications producing a spark, flame, or heat, or similar operations that are capable of initiating fires or explosions.

• हॉट वर्क शुरू करने से पहले उचित वर्क पर्मिट प्राप्त करें
• काम करने की जगह को बॅरिकेड करें ओर सुनिश्चित करें की उस जगह कोई खड़ा ना हो
• सुनिश्चित करें कि काम करने की जगह पे या आसपास कोई ज्वलनशील पदार्थ ना रखा हो यदि हो तो हटा दें
• अपने साथ फायर एक्सटीन्गुइशेर रखें जो आग लगने की स्थिति में आपके काम आएगा
• वेलडिंग मशीन की जाँच करें
• उचित PPE, जैसे वेलडिंग शील्ड, वेलडिंग एप्रन, एवम लेदर दस्ताने पहने
• हॉट वर्क करते समय फायर वॉचर की उपस्थिति आवश्यक है