Abrasive Wheels E-Learning
Course Overview
This course is aimed at anyone who uses abrasive wheels, or employs people who use abrasive wheels as part of their work. It covers different types of abrasive wheel, safety in their use and how to identify the type of wheel.
Course Content
The use of abrasive wheels at work is covered by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 1998), which replaced the earlier Abrasive Wheels Regulations 1970. Regulation 9 of PUWER 1998 requires that everyone who uses work equipment, including abrasive wheels, receives adequate training in its safe use. This duty extends beyond the person operating the wheel to anyone who mounts or supervises its use.
The HSE's guidance document HSG17, Safety in the Use of Abrasive Wheels, sets out what this training should cover in practice. HSG17 is explicit that there is no substitute for thorough practical training in mounting and using abrasive wheels, alongside the theoretical knowledge covered here
Abrasive wheels are made up of abrasive particles bonded together, and the bonding material determines what the wheel is best suited to. Every wheel carries markings showing its type, maximum safe operating speed and other specifications, and correctly reading these markings before fitting a wheel is one of the most basic and most commonly missed safety steps.
Under PUWER 1998, training obligations apply to anyone who operates machinery fitted with an abrasive wheel, anyone who mounts, changes or fits abrasive wheels, and anyone who supervises other people carrying out either of the above. This applies regardless of experience — even long-serving staff need periodic refresher training.
Abrasive wheel incidents most often result from a small number of avoidable causes: fitting the wrong wheel, running a wheel faster than its rated safe speed, using a damaged wheel, or missing or incorrectly adjusted guards.
Course Duration
1-2 Hours
Course Certification
Successful candidates will receive a certificate, valid for 3 years.
