Abrasive Wheels Training Certificate Guarding Requirements

Question 1

What does PUWER 1998 Regulation 11 require regarding guards on abrasive wheel machines?

Accepted Answer

Guards must be provided and maintained that enclose the wheel as much as possible consistent with normal operation, and must be strong enough to retain fragments in the event of wheel burst

Answer

Guards are only required for bench grinders, not portable angle grinders

Answer

Guards may be removed during fine finishing operations

Answer

A written risk assessment substitutes for a physical guard if justified

Question 2

What is the maximum angle of exposure permitted for the grinding face of a bench grinder wheel?

Accepted Answer

Maximum 90 degrees of wheel exposure above the work rest (the remaining arc must be enclosed by the guard)

Answer

180 degrees — the top half may be exposed

Answer

360 degrees is acceptable if a transparent shield is fitted

Answer

There is no angle limitation — only the maximum gap dimension is regulated

Question 3

What is the maximum permitted angle of wheel exposure for a portable angle grinder guard?

Accepted Answer

180 degrees — the guard must cover at least the upper half of the disc to deflect fragments away from the operator

Answer

90 degrees for grinding operations

Answer

360 degrees with only a gap for the workpiece contact point

Answer

Guards on angle grinders are advisory only under PUWER

Question 4

What action must be taken if the adjustable guard on a bench grinder cannot be positioned within 3mm of the wheel face?

Accepted Answer

The wheel has worn too small and must be replaced — do not continue using the machine with an inadequate guard-to-wheel gap

Answer

The gap is acceptable up to 10mm if a secondary safety screen is fitted

Answer

Adjust the work rest to compensate for the guard gap

Answer

Remove the guard and use only a face shield as a substitute

Question 5

A worker removes the guard from an angle grinder claiming it is needed to access a confined area. What is the correct response?

Accepted Answer

Work must stop — the guard must not be removed; if the area is inaccessible with the guard, an alternative tool or method must be found

Answer

Guard removal is acceptable if the work lasts less than 5 minutes

Answer

Guard removal can be authorised by the supervisor if access is genuinely restricted

Answer

A smaller angle grinder with its guard in place is acceptable only if the same disc size is used

Question 6

What is the role of the 'tongue guard' (spark deflector) on a bench grinder?

Accepted Answer

To limit the top portion of wheel exposure to a maximum gap and deflect sparks and fragments downward, away from the operator's eyes

Answer

To prevent the workpiece from being dropped into the guard housing

Answer

To prevent the grinding wheel from contacting the guard body during operation

Answer

To indicate the correct grinding angle to the operator