Why You Need To Refresh Abrasive Wheels Training Every 3 Years
The abrasive wheel family of hand-held power tools include a wide range of machines used to cut, grind, or polish different construction materials.
Examples include angle grinders, bench grinders, die grinders, circular saws, tile cutters, and disc cutter. While each abrasive wheel tool requires different methods and techniques to operate, safety is crucial when using any abrasive wheel, as the high-speed rotation of the disc can cause injuries if not, used and fitted correctly.
Hazards from using abrasive wheels include eye injuries from sparks, loose chips or particles released during operation, breakage of the wheel disc due to mechanical fatigue and the presence of cracks and chips, and cuts, abrasions, or more severe injuries occurring from contact with the rotating wheel.
Do Abrasive Wheels Training Courses Need To Be Refreshed?
In the UK, the industry recommendation, endorsed by the British Abrasive Federation (BAF) and other professional bodies, is to refresh abrasive wheel training every three years. This is for the following reasons:
1. Keeping up with technology changes: the construction sector, technology, and legal regulations can change over time. Refresher courses help abrasive wheel operators to stay up-to-date with the latest equipment advances, safety best practices, and associated operating techniques.
2. Risk management: regular training and refresher courses help operators identify and manage the risks associated with abrasive wheels more effectively, so that hazards and preventative measures stay fresh in the mind and important details are not forgotten.
3. Safety and competency: over time, it’s easy for regular abrasive wheel operators to slip into bad habits, leading to potentially dangerous handling techniques. Regular refresher courses help workers to remain confident and knowledgeable about safe practices, reducing the long-term risk of accidents.
4. Compliance: the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, or PUWER, requires that all work-based machinery, including tools with abrasive wheels, be regularly maintained and inspected by trained individuals. Refreshing training at regular intervals helps comply with these regulations.
Next Steps – Abrasive Wheel Safety Training From FaCT
At FaCT, we offer a concise half day course covering all aspects of abrasive wheel training, including the latest health and safety legislation, fitting discs to machines, selecting and checking discs, safe operating methods, PPE, and the hazards associated with using abrasive wheels. The course is available either online or in person at our training centre at Redditch or for groups of learners at your venue, and on completion, candidates are given a FaCT Certificate of Achievement that is valid for three years. FaCT also deliver the Lantra Awards certification, if required.
To request a quote or to find out more, please click here.
