RPM Safety in the Abrasives Industry

When it comes to cutting, surface preparation, and blending, there are a few safety issues that need to be evaluated before an operator even starts an application. One of the glaring issues in the abrasives industry is using a product or tool with the incorrect RPM speed (Revolutions Per Minute).

The most popular tool to use in the industry is the angle grinder. There are many reported injuries every year resulting from incorrect usage. In 2008, it was reported that close to 25,000 were injured while using angle grinders. The common fault for most of the injuries was an abrasive disc shattering. This can be caused by a damaged product, an overused product, or using a product that doesn’t have the correct RPM.

RPM Safety

Before starting your application, always make sure that there is no damage to the disc you are using. The next step is to make sure you know the RPM of the product and tool. The biggest issues are operators exceeding the maximum RPM rating of the disc. Many believe that the load operating speed on the tool cannot be exceeded. Never use a grinder if its no-load speed is unknown.

Please comply with ANSI B7.1 to ensure all safety requirements are properly implemented. Check out our social media pages on Linkedin and Facebook to keep up with our weekly updates!