['Machine Guarding']
['Abrasive Wheel Machines']
03/13/2025
Copyright 2025 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
...
Scope
OSHA’s abrasive wheel machinery guarding requirements apply to all employers who have equipment covered by the standard.
Regulatory citations
- 29 CFR 1910.215 — Abrasive wheel machinery. (OSHA’s 1910.212 and 1910.219 standards can also be applicable)
Key definitions
- Abrasive wheel: A cutting tool consisting of abrasive grains held together by organic or inorganic bonds. Diamond and reinforced wheels are included.
- Cutting off wheels: Wheels having diameter thickness and hole size dimensions and are subject to all limitations of mounting and use listed for type 1 wheels as defined in the standard. They may be steel centered, diamond abrasive or organic bonded abrasive of the plain or reinforced type. Limitation: Cutting off wheels are recommended only for use on specially designed and fully guarded machines and are subject to the following maximum thickness and hole size limitations. Maximum hole size for cutting-off wheels should not be larger than 1/4-wheel diameter.
- Flanges: Collars, discs or plates between which wheels are mounted and are referred to as adaptor, sleeve, or back up type. See paragraph (c) of 1910.215 for full description.
- Inorganic wheels: Wheels which are bonded by means of inorganic material such as clay, glass, porcelain, sodium silicate, magnesium oxychloride, or metal. Wheels bonded with clay, glass, porcelain or related ceramic materials are characterized as “vitrified bonded wheels.”
- Off-hand grinding: The grinding of any material or part which is held in the operator’s hand.
- Organic wheels: Wheels which are bonded by means of an organic material such as resin, rubber, shellac, or other similar bonding agent.
- Safety guard: An enclosure designed to restrain the pieces of the grinding wheel and furnish all possible protection in the event that the wheel is broken in operation. See 1910.215(b).
- Snagging: Grinding which removes relatively large amounts of material without regard to close tolerances or surface finish requirements.
- Surface feet per minute (s.f.p.m.): The distance in feet any one abrasive grain on the peripheral surface of a grinding wheel travels in 1 minute.
Summary of requirements
Employers must:
- Ensure all abrasive wheel machines are adequately guarded.
- Use abrasive discs and wheels that are correctly rated for the grinder’s maximum operating spindle speed. The disc or wheel rating is marked on the disc or wheel in surface feet per minute.
- Ensure side guards cover the spindle, nut and flange and 75% of the wheel diameter.
- Install guards over power belts and drives.
- Develop and implement safe work procedures for grinding machine operations.
- Ensure the work rest is used and kept adjusted to within 1/8-inch (0.3175cm) of the wheel.
- Ensure the adjustable tongue guard on the top side of the grinder is used and kept to within 1/4-inch (0.6350cm) of the wheel.
- Instruct workers to ring test and visually inspect new abrasive wheels before they are mounted.
- Do not allow workers to wear gloves, jewelry, or loose-fitting clothing while operating grinding machines; long hair should be secured in a net or cap.
- Perform servicing and maintenance under an energy control program in accordance with the Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), 29 CFR 1910.147, standard.
READ MORESHOW LESS
['Machine Guarding']
['Abrasive Wheel Machines']
Load More
J. J. Keller is the trusted source for DOT / Transportation, OSHA / Workplace Safety, Human Resources, Construction Safety and Hazmat / Hazardous Materials regulation compliance products and services. J. J. Keller helps you increase safety awareness, reduce risk, follow best practices, improve safety training, and stay current with changing regulations.
Copyright 2025 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.