Safety information for the angle grinder

  • This power tool is intended to function as a grinder, sander, wire brush or cut-off tool. Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
  • Operations such as polishing or hole cutting are not to be performed with this power tool. Operations for which the power tool was not designed may create a hazard and cause personal injury.
  • Do not convert this power tool to operate in a way which is not specifically designed and specified by the tool manufacturer. Such a conversion may result in a loss of control and cause serious personal injury.
  • Do not use accessories which are not specifically designed and specified by the tool manufacturer. Just because the accessory can be attached to your power tool, it does not assure safe operation.
  • The rated speed of the accessory must be at least equal to the maximum speed marked on the power tool. Accessories running faster than their rated speed can break and fly apart.
  • The outside diameter and the thickness of your accessory must be within the capacity rating of your power tool. Incorrectly sized accessories cannot be adequately guarded or controlled.
  • The dimensions of the accessory mounting must fit the dimensions of the mounting hardware of the power tool. Accessories that do not match the mounting hardware of the power tool will run out of balance, vibrate excessively and may cause loss of control.
  • Do not use a damaged accessory. Before each use inspect the accessory such as abrasive wheels for chips and cracks, backing pad for cracks, tear or excess wear, wire brush for loose or cracked wires. If power tool or accessory is dropped, inspect for damage or install an undamaged accessory. After inspecting and installing an accessory, position yourself and bystanders away from the plane of the rotating accessory and run the power tool at maximum no-load speed for one minute. Damaged accessories will normally break apart during this test time.
  • Wear personal protective equipment. Depending on application, use face shield, safety goggles or safety glasses. As appropriate, wear dust mask, hearing protectors, gloves and workshop apron capable of stopping small abrasive or workpiece fragments. The eye protection must be capable of stopping flying debris generated by various applications. The dust mask or respirator must be capable of filtrating particles generated by the particular application. Prolonged exposure to high intensity noise may cause hearing loss.
  • Keep bystanders a safe distance away from work area. Anyone entering the work area must wear personal protective equipment. Fragments of workpiece or of a broken accessory may fly away and cause injury beyond immediate area of operation.
  • Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces only, when performing an operation where the cutting tool may contact hidden wiring. Contact with a "live" wire will also make exposed metal parts of the power tool "live" and could give the operator an electric shock.
  • Never lay the power tool down until the accessory has come to a complete stop. The spinning accessory may grab the surface and pull the power tool out of your control.
  • Do not run the power tool while carrying it at your side. Accidental contact with the spinning accessory could snag your clothing, pulling the accessory into your body.
  • Regularly clean the power tool’s air vents. The motor’s fan will draw the dust inside the housing and excessive accumulation of powdered metal may cause electrical hazards.
  • Do not operate the power tool near flammable materials. Sparks could ignite these materials.
  • Do not use accessories that require liquid coolants. Using water or other liquid coolants may result in electrocution or shock.

Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched or snagged rotating wheel, backing pad, brush or any other accessory. Pinching or snagging causes rapid stalling of the rotating accessory which in turn causes the uncontrolled power tool to be forced in the direction opposite of the accessory’s rotation at the point of the binding.
For example, if an abrasive wheel is snagged or pinched by the workpiece, the edge of the wheel that is entering into the pinch point can dig into the surface of the material causing the wheel to climb out or kick out. The wheel may either jump toward or away from the operator, depending on direction of the wheel’s movement at the point of pinching. Abrasive wheels may also break under these conditions.
Kickback is the result of power tool misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below.

  • Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the power tool and position your body and arms to allow you to resist kickback forces. Always use auxiliary handle, if provided, for maximum control over kickback or torque reaction during start-up. The operator can control torque reactions or kickback forces, if proper precautions are taken.
  • Never place your hand near the rotating accessory. Accessory may kickback over your hand.
  • Do not position your body in the area where power tool will move if kickback occurs. Kickback will propel the tool in direction opposite to the wheel’s movement at the point of snagging.
  • Use special care when working corners, sharp edges, etc. Avoid bouncing and snagging the accessory. Corners, sharp edges or bouncing have a tendency to snag the rotating accessory and cause loss of control or kickback.
  • Do not attach a saw chain woodcarving blade, segmented diamond wheel with a peripheral gap greater than 10 mm or toothed saw blade. Such blades create frequent kickback and loss of control.

  • Use only wheel types that are specified for your power tool and the specific guard designed for the selected wheel. Wheels for which the power tool was not designed cannot be adequately guarded and are unsafe.
  • The grinding surface of centre depressed wheels must be mounted below the plane of the guard lip. An improperly mounted wheel that projects through the plane of the guard lip cannot be adequately protected.
  • The guard must be securely attached to the power tool and positioned for maximum safety, so the least amount of wheel is exposed towards the operator. The guard helps to protect the operator from broken wheel fragments, accidental contact with wheel and sparks that could ignite clothing.
  • Wheels must be used only for specified applications. For example: do not grind with the side of cut-off wheel. Abrasive cut-off wheels are intended for peripheral grinding, side forces applied to these wheels may cause them to shatter.
  • Always use undamaged wheel flanges that are of correct size and shape for your selected wheel. Proper wheel flanges support the wheel thus reducing the possibility of wheel breakage. Flanges for cut-off wheels may be different from grinding wheel flanges.
  • Do not use worn down wheels from larger power tools. A wheel intended for larger power tool is not suitable for the higher speed of a smaller tool and may burst.
  • When using dual purpose wheels always use the correct guard for the application being performed. Failure to use the correct guard may not provide the desired level of guarding, which could lead to serious injury.

  • Do not “jam” the cut-off wheel or apply excessive pressure. Do not attempt to make an excessive depth of cut. Overstressing the wheel increases the loading and susceptibility to twisting or binding of the wheel in the cut and the possibility of kickback or wheel breakage.
  • Do not position your body in line with and behind the rotating wheel. When the wheel, at the point of operation, is moving away from your body, the possible kickback may propel the spinning wheel and the power tool directly at you.
  • When the wheel is binding or when interrupting a cut for any reason, switch off the power tool and hold it motionless until the wheel comes to a complete stop. Never attempt to remove the cut-off wheel from the cut while the wheel is in motion otherwise kickback may occur. Investigate and take corrective action to eliminate the cause of wheel binding.
  • Do not restart the cutting operation in the workpiece. Let the wheel reach full speed and carefully re-enter the cut. The wheel may bind, walk up or kickback if the power tool is restarted in the workpiece.
  • Support panels or any oversized workpiece to minimize the risk of wheel pinching and kickback. Large workpieces tend to sag under their own weight. Supports must be placed under the workpiece near the line of cut and near the edge of the workpiece on both sides of the wheel.
  • Use extra caution when making a “pocket cut” into existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding wheel may cut gas or water pipes, electrical wiring or objects that can cause kickback.
  • Do not attempt to do curved cutting. Overstressing the wheel increases the loading and susceptibility to twisting or binding of the wheel in the cut and the possibility of kickback or wheel breakage, which can lead to serious injury.

  • Use proper sized sanding disc paper. Follow manufacturers recommendations, when selecting sanding paper. Larger sanding paper extending too far beyond the sanding pad presents a laceration hazard and may cause snagging, tearing of the disc or kickback.

  • Be aware that wire bristles are thrown by the brush even during ordinary operation. Do not overstress the wires by applying excessive load to the brush The wire bristles can easily penetrate light clothing and/or skin.
  • If the use of a guard is specified for wire brushing, do not allow any interference of the wire wheel or brush with the guard. Wire wheel or brush may expand in diameter due to work load and centrifugal forces.

Wear safety goggles.

The protective guard must not be used for cutting. With a suitable adapter, the protective guard can also be used for cutting.

Hold the power tool firmly with both hands and make sure you have a stable footing. The power tool can be more securely guided with both hands.

  • For application tools with an internal thread, such as brushes, attention must be paid to the max. thread length of the grinding spindle. The spindle end must not touch the base of the application tool.
  • Use suitable detectors to determine if there are hidden supply lines or contact the local utility company for assistance. Contact with electric cables can cause fire and electric shock. Damaging gas lines can lead to explosion. Breaking water pipes causes property damage.
  • Do not touch grinding and cutting discs until they have cooled down. The discs can become very hot while working.
  • Release the On/Off switch and set it to the Off position when the power supply is interrupted, e.g. when the battery pack is removed. This prevents uncontrolled restarting.
  • Secure the workpiece. A workpiece clamped with clamping devices or in a vice is held more secure than by hand.
  • Store the application tools inside buildings, in a dry, frost-free room at a uniform temperature.
  • Remove the application tools before transporting the power tool. This will allow you to avoid damage.
  • Bonded cutting and grinding discs have an expiration date, after which the discs must no longer be used.
  • In case of damage and improper use of the battery, vapours may be emitted. The battery can set alight or explode. Ensure the area is well ventilated and seek medical attention should you experience any adverse effects. The vapours may irritate the respiratory system.
  • Do not open the battery. There is a risk of short-circuiting.
  • The battery can be damaged by pointed objects such as nails or screwdrivers or by force applied externally. An internal short circuit may occur, causing the battery to burn, smoke, explode or overheat.
  • Only use the battery with products from the manufacturer. This is the only way in which you can protect the battery against dangerous overload.

Protect the battery against heat, e.g. against continuous intense sunlight, fire, dirt, water and moisture. There is a risk of explosion and short-circuiting.