Saint-Gobain Product Safety received the following question, “What do we do after a grinding wheel crash, when no one is injured". This month's Play It Safe at the Wheel answers the question.

Product Safety received the following question, “What to do after a wheel crash, when no one is injured.” To answer this question we go to ANSI B7.1-2000, Section 9 General Operating Rules.

It states the following:

9.4 Wheel breakage (Standard)

A cracked or damaged wheel shall not be used. Wheel breakage shall be investigated by the user to determine and correct the cause. In the event of a wheel breakage, which causes personal injury, the wheel manufacturer and the machine supplier should be notified immediately.

E 9.4 Wheel breakage (Explanatory Information – Not Part of the Standard)

Should an abrasive wheel be broken in service, an investigation must be made immediately by the user to be sure that any conditions at variance with the requirements contained in this Standard and State, Federal, or other laws are corrected. The user should immediately isolate the machine and work area and notify the wheel maker and machine supplier. Corrections of adverse conditions should only be made following a complete investigation and recommendation by all parties concerned. This will help determine the cause of the breakage so that a recurrence of the trouble can be prevented. If the wheel is not broken, but damaged (i.e. chipped or gouged), our recommendation is that you return the wheel to its manufacturer for repairs and speed testing. There is no known method at the customer’s location that can guarantee a wheel does not have internal damage. While tests such as visual inspection, ring testing, and allowing the wheel to run at operating speed for one full minute before standing in front of, or in line with, the wheel are good tools, they do not replace proper wheel repair and speed testing. Another option is to discard the damaged wheel.

Below is an example of a damaged wheel:

When it comes to safety, you cannot afford to be wrong. If you have any doubt about the safety of an abrasive wheel, always err on the side of safety. Do not use a damaged wheel. For additional information on this topic or if you need any other abrasive safety information, please review ANSI, OSHA and all literature provided by the abrasive wheel and machine manufacturer.