Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Risk Assessment MW05: Surface Grinding Machine
February 2007
Risk Assessment MW05: Surface Grinding Machine
ESTABLISHMENT
DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL TEACHING SECONDARY DESIGN AND
TEHNOLOGY
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
WORK ACTIVITY
USE OF SURFACE GRINDING MACHINE
HAZARDS
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Over speeding, damaged or incorrectly mounted
abrasive wheels may break whilst rotating and be
violently ejected from the machine.
Contact of a person with the wheel can cause
serious cuts and abrasions.
Long hair, loose clothing and jewellery may
become entangled in the spindle or wheel.
Work pieces may be ejected from the machine at
high speed
Work pieces of fingers may become trapped
between the wheel and the rest.
Work pieces may become hot due to friction and
may cause burns
Grinding machines are powered by electricity and
therefore may cause electric shock if a fault
develops.
Sharp edges may cause cuts.
Accidental starting of the machine can present a
hazard.
Emery dust produced in the grinding process may
be inhaled and cause ill health
Insufficient space around the machine may result
in the operator being pushed by passers by.
Slippery floors or tripping hazards around the
machine may cause slips that result in contact of
the operator with moving parts of the machine.
WHO MIGHT BE
HARMED
(EMPLOYEES)
Design and Technology Teachers
Design and Technology Teaching Assistants
Design and technology Assistants
WHO MIGHT BE
HARMED
(NONEMPLOYEES)
Children
Visitors
Contractors
IS ANYONE AT
SPECIAL RISK
Persons working alone
Inexperienced Teachers
Persons who have not been trained and certificated
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Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Risk Assessment MW05: Surface Grinding Machine
February 2007
within the past five years.
Persons who use the equipment infrequently
Unauthorised users, for example, site managers and
caretakers
RISK CONTROL
MEASURES
Switchgear
 The machine must be provided with a means of
isolation using a fused switch-disconnector on or
adjacent to the machine
 The fused switch-disconnector must be must be
controlled by a starter incorporating overload
protection and no-volt release
 The machine must be electrically isolated before
any internal mechanisms are adjusted.
 It must be possible to lock the machine off when it
is not in use to prevent unauthorised use. A
locking device may be incorporated in the
machine. The key must not be left in the lock when
the machine is unattended.
Emergency Switchgear
 A foot operated red mushroom headed emergency
stop switch or other suitable control device on a
yellow background that can bring the machine to
rest within 10 seconds, labelled with an emergency
stop sign must be provided.
Cabling
All cabling should be armoured to protect it from
damage
Lighting
Should be at least 500 lux.
Space and Floor Area
 There must be sufficient space around the
machine to minimise the risk of the operator being
knocked by passers by. The DfES Guidance
should be followed. This area should be clearly
marked with black and yellow tape.
 The machine must be secured to the floor.
 Bench mounted machines must be secured to the
bench.
 The floor of the work area must be level and nonslip.
 The floor must be kept free of loose material such
as dust which could make it slippery.
 The floor should be cleaned at least once daily.
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Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Risk Assessment MW05: Surface Grinding Machine
February 2007
Guarding
 The end of the table from which the unsecured
work piece could be projected from the wheel
should be fitted with a substantial guard, or should
face towards a wall.
 Drive mechanisms must be provided with fixed
guards that require the use of a tool for removal.
They may also be interlocked to prevent access to
moving parts whilst in motion.
 There should be a suitable guard to enclose the
wheels and spindles.
 The guard should be able to contain debris from a
wheel breaking in motion and should prevent
entanglement from threaded spindle ends.
 The only gap in the guard should be at the front to
allow access to the work piece.
Control of Dusts
 A risk assessment should be carried out for dust
extraction at the machine.
 Depending on the materials use and the scale of
their use, control measures additional to general
room ventilation may be required such as local
exhaust ventilation ( dust extraction mounted on
the machine ) or respiratory protective equipment (
a dust mask ).
 If installed, dust extraction must be examined and
tested by a competent person at least once
annually and records of inspections must be kept
for five years
Eye Protection
 Eye protection should be worn when using the
machine.
 A “wear eye protection” sign should be displayed
on or near the machine
 It should be stored near the machine. It must be
cleaned maintained and replaced when necessary.
Hair and Clothing
 Loose clothing must be secured and long hair tied
back so they cannot come into contact with the
moving parts of the machine.
 Dangling jewellery should not be worn.
 Gloves or bandages should not be worn.
 Substantial, non-slip, flat heeled shoes which
cover the whole of the foot should be worn when
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Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Risk Assessment MW05: Surface Grinding Machine
February 2007
using this equipment. Trainers do not give
adequate protection.
Safe Operation of the Surface Grinding Machine
 Wheels must be suitable for the material which
they are being used to grind.
 The wheel should be balanced to minimise
vibration.
 Wheels must be mounted correctly by a trained
competent person in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
 The maximum operating speed marked on the
wheel must not be exceeded.
 The spindle speed should be marked on the
grinding machine.
 Coolant nozzles must not be adjusted whilst the
machine is in operation.
 A check must be made to make sure that the work
piece is properly secured before starting the
machine. Special care should be taken if metal
tables are used.
 The wheel must be stopped prior to positioning the
work piece, measuring or gauging.
Work Rest
 The work rest should be adjusted as close as
possible to the machine to prevent fingers and
work pieces from becoming trapped.
 The gap between the work rest and the wheel
should not exceed 3 mm.
Safety Rules
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Safety rules for the use of this machine should be
displayed near the machine where they can readily
be referred to.
Maintenance of Machine
 The machine must be included in a planned
programme of servicing and maintenance which
should include electrical safety checks.
 Records of servicing and maintenance must be
kept and be available for inspection by health and
safety advisers, subject advisers/consultants and
other authorised persons.
Manufacturer’s Instructions
 A copy of the manufacturer’s instruction book
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Schools’ Health and Safety Handbook
Section9.3: Code of Practice for Secondary Design and Technology
Risk Assessment MW05: Surface Grinding Machine
February 2007
should be kept by the machine and a spare copy in
the departmental office.
FURTHER ACTION
REQUIRED TO
CONTROL RISK
ACTION BY
PERSON
ACTION BY DATE
DATE REVISION
OF ASSESSMENT
DUE
ASSESSED BY
DATE
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