Product Overview

This Angle Grinder Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a site-ready safety document designed to identify hazards, assess risks and implement controls for all angle grinding and cutting tasks, supporting strong WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of Angle Grinder SWMS activities, from general grinding to specialised cutting, smoothing and borehole applications.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe application of angle grinders on boreholes, including control of kickback, binding and flying debris
• General angle grinding on steel, masonry and other substrates with appropriate guards and PPE
• Carrying out angle grinding operations in designated work areas with controls for noise, dust and vibration
• Cutting bricks with an angle grinder, including dust suppression, cutting techniques and silica exposure control
• Disc grinder usage for cutting, grinding and polishing with correct disc selection, inspection and mounting
• Smoothing and finishing steel surfaces with a disc grinder while managing sparks, heat and sharp edges
• Selection, inspection and maintenance of angle grinders, discs, guards, flanges and power leads
• Management of fire and explosion risks from sparks, hot work and nearby flammable materials
• Control of dust and respirable crystalline silica when cutting or grinding masonry, concrete and bricks
• Manual handling of grinders, accessories and materials to minimise strain, fatigue and musculoskeletal injuries
• Electrical safety, including use of RCDs, tagging and testing, and safe operation of corded and cordless tools
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as eye, face, hearing, respiratory and hand protection
• Housekeeping, cord management and securing of workpieces to prevent slips, trips, falls and loss of control

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for bricklayers, concreters, steel fabricators, maintenance personnel, construction trades, and site supervisors who manage or undertake angle grinder and disc grinder operations on Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace – Guidance on the safe use of powered hand tools, including angle and disc grinders
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – Relevant where grinding or cutting is performed at height or on elevated work platforms
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – Controls for noise exposure from prolonged grinder use
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – Applicable to fumes, dusts and any hazardous substances generated by grinding and cutting
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica from Engineered Stone in the Workplace – Referenced for best practice silica dust control when cutting or grinding masonry and similar materials
• AS/NZS 2161 Occupational protective gloves – Selection of suitable hand protection for grinding and cutting tasks
• AS/NZS 1337 Eye and face protectors for occupational applications – Requirements for safety glasses and face shields
• AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices – Selection and use of respirators for dust and silica control
• AS/NZS 1270 Acoustics – Hearing protectors – Selection of hearing protection for high-noise angle grinder operations
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017