Life's a Grind - Don't go Blind

Bench Grinder Safety Checklist

Standard
29 CFR 1910	Description	YES	NO²
	From the Abrasive Wheel standard:
215(a)(2)	Do side guards cover the spindle, nut and flange and 75% of the wheel diameter?
215(a)(4)	Is the work rest used and kept adjusted to within 1/8-inch (0.3175cm) of the wheel?
215(b)(9)	Is the adjustable tongue guard on the top side of the grinder used and kept to within  1/4-inch (0.6350cm) of the wheel?
215(d)(1)	Is the maximum RPM rating of each abrasive wheel compatible with the RPM rating  of the grinder motor?
215(d)(1)	Before new abrasive wheels are mounted, are they visually inspected and ring  tested?
	From other OSHA standards:
22(a)	Is cleanliness maintained around grinders? (Clean-up dust and scraps.)
94(b)(2)	Are dust collectors and powered exhausts provided on grinders used in operations  that produce large amounts of dust?
133(a)(1)	Are goggles or face shields always worn when grinding?
212(b)	Are bench and pedestal grinders permanently mounted?
304(f)(4)	Is each electrically operated grinder effectively grounded?
305(g)(1)(iii)(A)	Are fixed or permanently mounted grinders connected to their electrical supply  system with metallic conduit or other permanent method?
305(j)(4)(ii)(F)	Does each grinder have an individual ON and OFF power control switch?

Footnotes:
1.  Extracted from OSHA Publication No. 2209. This check list does NOT include ALL elements of
     29 CFR 1910.215; it is a only a guide.
2.  A mark in this column indicates a need for corrective actions.

A Bench Grinder Safety Gauge is available from Rockford Systems:
http://www.rockfordsystems.com/online/safeguarding/grinder-safety-gauge.cfm

An example list of injuries involving Bench Grinders can be found here:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/machineguarding/grinder_accidents.html

Remember to wear proper PPE - Face Masks, Eye Protection, and a leather apron to protect your torso from flying parts and pieces.

NEVER GRIND ALUMINUM - The resulting dust can be explosive!  Use a hand file to clean-up rough edges.