Abrasive wheels ABW02

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What is an abrasive wheel?

A grinding wheel, also known as an abrasive wheel, is a wheel made of abrasive particles bound together by various substances, such as rubber, shellac, or silicate. They are used by a variety of industries but, if not used safely, have the potential to cause serious injury.

What does the training course include?

• Have a basic understanding of the industry, the dangers of working in the industry and their responsibilities as an operator
• Have a working knowledge of the manufacturer’s handbook for the particular machine to be used
• Be able to locate and identify the major components of the machine and explain their functions
• Be able to locate and identify key controls and explain their functions
• Conduct all pre-operational checks in accordance with manufacturers and legislative requirements
• Identify and maintain PPE appropriate for cutting or grinding machine
• Conduct all necessary safety checks at the work area and set up exclusion zone
• Select suitable type of abrasive wheel and machine relative to the work being undertaken
• Operate machinery safely and efficiently
• Environmental considerations
• Storage and transport of abrasive wheel machines
• Carry out all end of shift and shut down procedures

Venue and equipment requirements:

• Suitable and safe area to operate equipment
• Sufficient material to cut and grind
• Suitable and safe area to complete paperwork
• Suitable welfare facilities
• Suitable PPE
• Abrasive wheels machine with a range of blades
• Operators’ manual
• Risk assessment completed

PPE Requirements:

• Suitable hearing protection
• Suitable eye protection
• Suitable work clothes including
• Suitable gloves
• Suitable work boots including steel toe protection
• Suitable respiratory protection

HSE further information:

• PUWER Regulation
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l22.pdf
• Safety in the use of abrasive wheels HSG17
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg17.pdf
• Dust from abrasive wheels SR21
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/sr21.pdf

Theory assessment:

• 25 multiple choice questions
• 4 marks per question
• 80% pass mark required

Practical assessment criteria:

• Pre use and operational checks
• Demonstrate safe and efficient use of machines
• Demonstrate safe and correct way change blades
• Pass mark is less than 35 penalty points and no mandatory disqualifications

On-site training courses delivered:

Southwest – Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Avon, Somerset, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire

Southeast – Oxfordshire, Kent, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex

Midlands – Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Shropshire

East Anglia – Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk

Aylesbury, Banbury, Basingstoke, Bath, Bedford, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Coventry, Exeter, Gloucester, Hereford, Hungerford, Milton Keynes, Newbury, Northampton, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Reading, Salisbury, Southampton, Stroud, Swindon, Taunton, Warwick, Winchester, Witney, Worcester, Yeovil