Hand grinder injuries
- Safety Flash
- Published on 2 May 2005
- Generated on 22 November 2025
- IMCA SF 06/05
- 2 minute read
A Member has reported two recent injuries caused by the use of portable hand grinders.
What happened?
The first injury was due to the grinder wheel binding onto the weld being worked upon, causing the grinder to ‘kick’ and deflect into his arm. The grinder’s side grip or stabilisation handle had been removed, making it harder to control the device.
The second injury happened when the operator lost control of the grinder as a result of his taking one hand off it whilst it was still turning at high speed. He had taken one hand off the grinder because he was attempting to prevent the pipe on which he was working from falling when it came out of a support stand. The grinding wheel was still turning at high speed and the gyroscopic precessing force acting on the tool was too great for the operator to handle with one hand. This led to the grinder being deflected into his other arm causing an injury.
Lessons learnt
Our Member has recommended the following steps:
- Remind all persons operating grinders that they should be used very carefully, referring to and following all appropriate rules of operation.
- Take time for risk assessment before commencing the job.
- Ensure that all risks and issues are discussed in toolbox talks.
- Ensure that the work piece is very secure and cannot move.
The company also noted that there had been some re-use of grinding discs that had been used subsea. This practice is dangerous, as grinding discs which have been exposed to moisture are likely to de-laminate, causing them to disintegrate at high speed. Thus discs which have been exposed to moisture over a length of time or which have been used subsea should always be discarded.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.