Angle grinders and cut-off saws: risk assessment and method statement
Cutting of masonry, concrete, paving, steel and pipework at the site using handheld angle grinders and petrol or battery cut-off saws, with the correct disc for each material, dust suppression or extraction, and a controlled cutting area.
Risk assessment
Risk = severity × likelihood, each from 1 to 5. 1 to 3 is low, 4 to 6 medium, 8 to 12 high and 15 to 25 very high.
| Hazard | Who might be harmed and how | Risk | Controls | With controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contact with the rotating disc | Operatives may touch the spinning disc while cutting or setting the tool down, causing severe cuts. | 5 × 3 = 15 Very high |
| 5 × 1 = 5 Medium |
| Kickback when the disc binds in the cut | Operatives may be struck by the saw kicking back when the disc pinches, causing serious injury. | 5 × 3 = 15 Very high |
| 5 × 1 = 5 Medium |
| Disc burst or disintegration | Operatives and others nearby may be struck by fragments of a burst disc, resulting in serious injury. | 5 × 2 = 10 High |
| 5 × 1 = 5 Medium |
| Silica dust from cutting masonry and concrete | Operatives and others nearby may inhale silica dust from cutting masonry, causing lung disease. | 4 × 4 = 16 Very high |
| 4 × 2 = 8 High |
| Sparks igniting combustibles or fuel | Operatives and others may be burned if sparks from metal cutting ignite materials or fuel. | 4 × 2 = 8 High |
| 4 × 1 = 4 Medium |
| Carbon monoxide from petrol cut-off saws | Operatives may inhale exhaust from petrol saws run in enclosed spaces, causing poisoning or death. | 5 × 2 = 10 High |
| 5 × 1 = 5 Medium |
| Flying debris and particles causing eye injury | Operatives and passers-by may be struck in the eye by fragments thrown from the disc, resulting in eye injury. | 3 × 4 = 12 High |
| 3 × 2 = 6 Medium |
| Hand-arm vibration from prolonged cutting | Operatives may develop hand-arm vibration syndrome from prolonged cutting, causing nerve damage. | 3 × 3 = 9 High |
| 3 × 1 = 3 Low |
| Noise exposure | Operatives and others nearby may be exposed to high noise levels from cutting, resulting in hearing damage. | 3 × 3 = 9 High |
| 3 × 1 = 3 Low |
Weather: Stop work in heavy rain, high winds or ice; no petrol saw use in enclosed areas; no dry cutting to beat rain.
Method statement
Supervision and briefing
Operations will be controlled by a competent supervisor. Discs will only be mounted and tools used by operatives trained in the safe use of abrasive wheels.
All operatives involved will be briefed on:
- Safe use of the tool including disc selection and guarding
- Dust suppression and extraction requirements
- Hot works and refuelling procedures
- Vibration and noise controls
- Emergency procedures
- Restricted access requirements
PPE
- Safety boots
- Gloves
- Hi-visibility clothing
- Eye protection/face shield
- Hearing protection
- RPE (FFP3) appropriate to the material
- Hard hats
Plant and equipment
- Angle grinder/cut-off saw with guard and side handle
- Correct discs for each material/task
- Water suppression kit or on-tool extraction
- Clamps/supports to secure work pieces
- Fire extinguisher and fire blanket
- Warning signage and barriers
- First aid kit
Things to watch for
Cutting at the site will take place in a designated, barriered cutting area away from occupied areas, site routes and stored combustibles.
Particular care must be taken to avoid:
• Disc contact and kickback
• Uncontrolled silica dust
• Sparks reaching combustibles or fuel
• Petrol saw exhaust in enclosed areas
The cutting area and any hot works will be agreed with the Site Manager before work starts.
Working conditions
Cutting area barriered with signage; others excluded. Good housekeeping maintained with offcuts cleared. Adequate lighting. No petrol saws indoors; slurry contained and cleaned up wet.
Access
Access to the work area is by the agreed site entrance and walkways at the site. Materials will be brought to the cutting area by trolley or team lift; tools carried with the disc stationary and battery removed or engine off.
Where the work is
Designated cutting area at the site, outdoors where practicable; in-situ cuts at the point of work with the area barriered.
Sequence of work
- Supervisor briefs operatives on this RAMS and confirms abrasive wheels training.
- Set up the cutting area with barriers, signage, water supply and fire extinguisher.
- Inspect the tool, guard, handle and disc; confirm the disc suits the material and tool speed.
- Mark out the cut and clamp or fully support the workpiece.
- Put on PPE and RPE; connect water suppression or extraction.
- Start the tool, let it reach full speed, and make the cut with a firm two-handed grip.
- Let the disc stop fully before setting the tool down.
- Refuel petrol saws cold and away from the cutting area.
- Rotate operatives and record trigger times.
- Clean up slurry and dust wet or by vacuum; check for smouldering after metal cutting.
- Clear and secure the area; store tools and discs dry and protected.
Emergencies
Stop work immediately, make the area safe, move people out of danger, report it to the site manager or supervisor, and call 999 if anyone is hurt or in danger.
References
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998; HSE HSG17 Safety in the use of abrasive wheels; COSHH 2002; HSE CIS36 Construction dust; Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005; Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.