Grinding disc failures

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 1 January 2000
  • Generated on 11 November 2026
  • IMCA SF 02/00
  • 1 minute read

One of our Members has alerted us to a number of near-misses from one of their vessels concerning the breaking up of grinding discs. 

What happened?

The latest report states that a newly installed grinding disc broke up and flew apart during use, narrowly missing the operator and his assistant. The nine inch disc had been fitted and was being used by a qualified person. There was no reason to believe that the disc was damaged prior to use. The disc was rated for use at 6800 rpm and was being used on a grinder rated at 6000 rpm.

Subsequent to this report, more failures were reported and the complete batch of discs was taken out of use pending further investigation.

The Member involved has observed problems with the following discs:

  • OHSB disc sizes (230 x 6 x 22.2) and (125 x 6 x 22.2)
  • Coflex Extra 230 diameter

Latest Safety Flashes:

Cyber-attack on vessel

An oil tanker suffered a cybersecurity incident.

Read more
MAIB: Normalising of unsafe practice – fatal man overboard incident

MAIB have published Accident Investigation Report 16/2026 into a fatal man overboard incident on board a bulk carrier offshore Sweden.

Read more
Dust explosion in Bow thruster motor

Upon activation of the bow thruster, there was a loud explosion within the forward section of the workboat.

Read more
Dropped bulk bag during loading operations

A dropped object incident occurred during quayside lifting when a bulk bag failed due to incorrect loading.

Read more
Failure of sea-fastening on the leg of a jack-up barge

During a sea passage, prevailing sea conditions caused a jack-up barge to experience rolling and pitching motions.

Read more

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.

The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.

All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.

Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.