Angle Grinder Disc Safety Alert

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), has issued a safety alert regarding Toothed Saw Blade Attachments being sold for use with angle grinders, this follows a previous alert regarding Chainsaw Disc Attachments also being sold for use with angle grinders.

In summary the issue is use of a chainsaw disc accessory or toothed saw blade on an angle grinder increases the risk of injuries arising from kickback caused by the chain / blade gripping the cutting surface and forcing the angle grinder to sharply turn or jump out of the hand of the operator, potentially leading to hand, finger, head injury or death. The OPSS considers the level of risk to be intolerable and as such the discs do not comply with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 and should not be sold for use with angle grinders.

The OPSS also note that the relevant standard BS 60745-2-3 requires product instructions to bear this warning “Do not attach a saw chain woodcarving blade or toothed saw blade. Such blades create frequent kickback and loss of control”.

The full safety alerts, including links to downloadable posters, can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-alert-angle-grinder-chainsaw-disc-attachment-psa2

and

https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-alert-angle-grinder-toothed-saw-blade-attachments-psa5

The essential message is:

• If you have one of these discs, don’t use it with an angle grinder
• If the disc was sold to you as being suitable for use with an angle grinder, contact your supplier and ask for your money back
• Don’t sell these discs to anyone else as being suitable for use with angle grinders

If you have any questions or would like support with managing risk management issues, please speak to your usual contact or get in touch using the form below.