Angle grinder fatality (1 August 2022)
A 64-year-old male was fatally injured while operating a nine inch angle grinder at a residential construction site in Ermington. The angle grinder was being used to cut a brick pier.
The angle grinder involved in the incident.
Safety information
The increased power and size of nine inch (230 mm) angle grinders makes the grinder more difficult to manoeuvre and can cause severe kickback.
Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with operating angle grinders.
Always:
- plan the work to eliminate or minimise risk to health and safety
- ensure a SafeWork Method Statement is developed, and followed for high risk construction work
- conduct a risk assessment to identify alternative methods and tools prior to selecting a nine inch (230 mm) angle grinder
- carry out a visual inspection of the angle grinder before use, ensure damaged discs are thrown out and not re-used
- use the angle grinder with the correct guard supplied by the manufacturer
- ensure the handle is inserted on the side of the unit that gives the best grip for the work activity
- only use an angle grinder if you have been trained, your employer authorises you to operate it and you follow your employer’s Safe Operating Procedures
- only use approved and appropriate safety controls in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations if operating an angle grinder on materials likely to generate hazardous dust
- ensure the angle grinder is maintained and repaired according to the manufacturer’s specifications
- ensure the angle grinder has been inspected and tested for electrical faults by a competent person
- wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses and earmuffs.
Related guidance material
- Managing the risks of plant in the workplace – Code of Practice (PDF, 1987.96 KB)
- Construction work – Code of Practice (PDF, 1014.41 KB)
- Guards and disks on angle grinders safety alert
- Pocket guide to construction safety