Fatality: grinder incident
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 March 2005
- Generated on 26 July 2026
- IMCA SF 03/05
- 2 minute read
A Member has reported a fatality which occurred during preparation of surfaces for welding.
A welder was using an angle grinder for the preparation work when the disk of the grinder disintegrated. The hand-held angle grinder was fitted with a 230mm diameter cutting-off wheel, and when it disintegrated, fragments penetrated the victim’s chest and abdomen. He was taken to hospital by rescue helicopter, but died the same day.
What were the causes?
Investigation showed that the angle grinder and cutting disk were not compatible and that the angle grinder had not been fitted with a guard.
Lessons learnt
The company involved has reiterated that grinding machines should always be used in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions, noting in particular that:
- The maximum speed marked on the abrasive wheel should always be greater than the maximum rated speed of the grinder.
- Grinding wheels should not exceed the recommended maximum diameter for any given grinding machine.
- Worn down wheels from other machines should not be used.
- Grinding tools should never be used without the wheel guard attached to the tool and positioned for maximum safety.
- Abrasive wheels should be stored and handled with care.
- They should be inspected for chips and cracks before installation, and any apparently damaged wheels taken out of use, marked and stored for inspection/disposed of securely.
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.