The abrasive wheels e-learning courses under this toolkit provide awareness of the risks associated with using abrasive wheels and practical steps to minimise the risks they pose. The training highlights the types of abrasive wheels, as well as their careful handling, operation, and maintenance to prevent injuries in the use of abrasive wheels.
Important note: Abrasive wheel training courses online under this toolkit do NOT cover the use of a specialist grinding machines. However, general health and safety information and awareness regarding the use of abrasive wheels is provided throughout the training.
Abrasive wheels are powered wheels that are used in workshop grinding machines and are made up of small organic and inorganic abrasive particles that are stuck together by a bonding material to make the wheel structure.
An abrasive wheel is defined by the:
- Abrasive material used
- Wheel structure
- Wheel grade
- Grit size
- Bonding material used
Abrasive wheels are used for surface modification or preparation by periphery grinding, or face grinding. They are also used extensively for cutting, polishing, sanding, and finishing purposes.
There are several potential hazards associated with the use of abrasive wheels depending on the type of equipment being operated, the working environment, and the materials the operator is working with. Some common abrasive wheel hazards are as follows:
- The high-speed rotation of an abrasive wheel can cause serious injuries if the worker accidentally makes contact with it
- The cutting and grinding action of abrasive wheels loosen chips and very small metal fragments, which can fly into the operators eyes and cause injuries. Moreover, the sparks produced while operating an abrasive wheel can also damage the eyes
- The wheel can disintegrate whilst in use and the operator can get seriously injured by the flying metal pieces
- Sparks produced during the operation can initiate a fire, if there are flammable materials nearby
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 state that anyone who is involved in the use of abrasive wheels should have the proper training to minimise the risk of associated injuries.
Employers must ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for the purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using work equipment, and risks which such use may entail and the precautions to be taken.
– The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Section 9 (1)
This abrasive wheels regulation has replaced the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 with some additions in the existing legal requirements for the safe mounting, handling, and using abrasive wheels.
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 regulates to control high levels of noise. The law states that workers who are exposed to an average of 85dB or more noise frequency must wear hearing protection.
Employers have to maintain the tools in good condition to keep workers safe. Moreover, employers are legally bound to keep workers informed and trained about the usage of abrasive wheel training.
Similarly, employees should take care of their own health, safety and well-being in the workplace and co-corporate with their employers to meet the legal requirements. They are legally bound to actively take part in the training programmes and implement the safety measures for minimising the risk of accidents and incidents occurring including abrasive wheels accidents.
The accredited abrasive wheel training by Human Focus supports employers with the obligations to meet legal responsibilities in protecting the workers against abrasive wheel hazards.
Human Focus is currently offering the following programme regarding abrasive wheels safe usage:
The abrasive wheel training online does not have any pre-requisites. It requires:
- No prior domain knowledge
- No course certification
The basic aim of the abrasive training course is to minimise the risk of injuries associated with abrasive wheels to improve the workers’ safety and productivity. The course creates awareness of the dangers associated with abrasive wheels and enables trainees to work safely whilst performing abrasive wheel operations.
By the end of the training, the delegates will learn the following:
- The safety principles of working with abrasive wheels
- Develop an understanding of the process to correctly set up, use and mount abrasive wheel for safe working
- Create awareness of how to operate the equipment/tool containing wheel or cutting disc to minimise the risk of injuries to workers
- Develop a clear understanding of the service, care, and function of abrasive wheel
The abrasive wheel training ends with a short knowledge test to assess the learner’s understanding of the course content. Trainees must pass this test to get the RoSPA-Approved certificate. The test is 100% online, the trainees do not need to visit any physical classroom to attempt the test. Moreover, the end test comprises of 5 sets of questions. The trainee needs to achieve at least 80% in each test part to achieve the RoSPA certification.
The end test helps employers to evaluate how much trainees have learned from this course and whether they are sufficiently aware of the hazards and risks involved in working with abrasive wheels. There are also short mini-quizzes after each section. These are designed to reinforce learning and to help trainees pass the end test.
Certification
As stated previously, the courses listed under this toolkit have the assessment test at the end which can be accessed by the trainees once they have completed all sections of the course. On passing the assessment test, trainees get the RoSPA-Approved certificate via email in PDF form. The certificate represents the following information:
- Trainee name
- Course name
- The completion date of the abrasive wheel training online
- Certificate’s expiry date
These RoSPA certificates have a validity of 3 years. Trainees are recommended to renew their certifications after this time period.
The information regarding training certificates, progress and results are all stored in Human Focus LMS (Learning management system). This information is accessible all the time to reset or check information.
No, this course is a basic awareness course that provides a general introduction to health and safety principles. It explores how one can set up, use, and care for the abrasive wheel machinery.
There are mainly three types of abrasive wheels, and are listed below.
Coated abrasives
They are used for sanding operations with plastic, wood, or metal.
Bonded abrasives
They are used for cutting and grinding operations with metals.
Super abrasives
They are used for cutting operations with ceramics and other construction materials such as concrete
This abrasive wheels training course has a short duration of 30 minutes only. The training certification lasts for the 3 years from the date at which training was completed.
Yes, it is a legal responsibility for everyone who is using abrasive wheels during their work activities. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 is clear guidance that sets out responsibilities for employers and employees both regarding abrasive wheel usage.
The Health and Safety Executive, states that half of the accidents that involve abrasive wheels occur due to an unsafe work system or an operator error. Hence, it is essential to take an abrasive wheel training online beforehand that best educates about safe working practices before commencing work.
