NT WorkSafe safety alert emphasises dangers of severe injury or fatality when operating 9-inch angle grinders

NT WorkSafe has released a safety alert regarding the hazards linked to the use of 9-inch angle grinders following an incident earlier this year in which a worker narrowly escaped death.

In January of this year, a 71-year-old employee sustained severe injuries while operating a 9-inch angle grinder during renovation activities at an industrial facility in Winnellie.

NT WorkSafe said the worker was positioned on a ladder, cutting steel wall frames overhead when the incident took place.

“The worker had been using a 5-inch angle grinder to make the initial cuts but switched to the larger grinder to finish the job quicker,” NT WorkSafe indicates in the safety alert.

“The grinder kicked-back causing a laceration that ran from the worker’s face, along this throat and into his chest.”

Further details on potential contributing factors and necessary actions can be found here.