Abrasives Health and Safety

Using abrasive tools and equipment can be dangerous as it involves tasks such as grinding, cutting, weld removal, polishing and finishing on different materials from metals to fibre reinforced composites. Every company should carry a risk management to understand and identify potential abrasive risks and define actions to mitigate or replace them. For example, modifying a task or work design with an alternative abrasive method, tool or product can help you lower the risks.

Our 3M™ Cubitron™ II abrasives, powered by 3M's Precision Shaped Ceramic Grain technology can help reduce some of these abrasive risks. They are designed to cut faster and last longer, reduce exposure to dust, noise and vibration whilst also improving productivity. An effective health and safety strategy often goes hand-in-hand with improved quality and higher productivity.

Best practice in health and safety management begins with a thorough risk assessment to identify equipment and activities that can potentially cause harm. It's important to understand the level of risk people may be exposed to.

Apply each level of the hierarchy of controls to help remove, reduce and manage workplace hazards. Start with the elimination phase as this is the most effective control, and finish with the PPE stage, which is considered the last line of defense.
 

1. Elimination: Modify the task or workplace so that the hazard is no longer present
2. Substitution: Replace the hazardous material, equipment or activity with a less hazardous one
3. Engineering controls: Modify the design or specification of tools or equipment to isolate or reduce the exposure to the hazard
4. Administrative controls: Introduce working practices and procedures that remove or lessen the risk
5. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE): Protect the worker with suitable PPE