Bench grinders and grinding equipment are found in many UWM shops, studios and laboratories. These devices have several basic adjustments and machine guarding components that must be utilized so the machines can be used safely. Typical accidents involving grinders have included fingers caught in machine components and eye/face injury due to wheel disintegration, missing guards or misadjusted components.

Supervisors and instructors must ensure all grinding equipment is code-compliant, in safe working order and that users are properly trained in the safe use of the equipment. Please direct any questions regarding safety procedures to your supervisor or instructor.

1. Do not operate under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication
2. Always wear eye protection (safety glasses or a face shield).
3. Remove tie, rings, watch and other jewelry and roll up sleeves.
4. Make sure the wheel guards are in place. Grinding creates heat; don't touch any portion of the workpiece until you are sure it has cooled.
5. Adjust the spark guards to be close to the wheel, and re-adjust these spark guards as the wheels wear down to a smaller diameter
6. Be sure blotters and wheel flanges are used to mount the grinding wheels onto the shaft of the grinder.
7. Stand to one side of the wheel when turning on power
8. Tool rests should be adjusted close to the wheels and thoroughly tightened in place so they cannot shift position while in use
9. Inspect the wheels before turning on the power. DO NOT use wheels that have been chipped or cracked.
10. When grinding, use the face of the wheel only.
11. Dress the wheel on the face only. Dressing the side of the wheel would cause it to become too thin for safe use.
12. DO NOT use a wheel that vibrates. Dress wheel, replace the wheel, or replace the bearings of the shaft if these are worn. Grinding creates heat; don't touch ground portion of workpiece until you are sure workpiece has cooled.
13. Shut off the power and do not leave guards as the wheels wear down to a until the wheel has come to a complete stop and the work area is clean when finished using machine.