A sawmill worker was using a hand-held grinder to cut off the head of a rivet on a lumber transfer chain. He wanted to remove a couple of links to shorten the chain. The grinder was not equipped with a guard. The worker was wearing safety glasses, not a face shield. The abrasive cutting wheel on the 4½-inch grinder got stuck and then shattered. Fragments from the wheel cut the worker's face. The grinder kicked back violently and also struck him in the face.

• Always make sure the manufacturer's guard is installed before using a grinder.
• Ensure that workers are adequately trained in the safe use of grinders.
• Always wear adequate eye and face protection when using a grinder. Hearing protection must also be worn.
• Choose the appropriate grinder and abrasive disc for the job.
• Position your body to reduce exposure to flying materials and to shield yourself in case of wheel failure and/or kickback.