Abrasive Wheels Safety Awareness Course
Use grinders and cut-off saws safely — from wheel selection and mounting to kickback, dust and sparks.
Add 3 online courses to your basket and pay for all 3 together in one checkout. The discount only applies when all 3 are bought at the same time — it cannot be claimed on courses bought individually. EUSR courses are not included.
About this course
Angle grinders, cut-off saws and bench grinders are among the most common and most dangerous tools on site. A wheel burst can throw fragments with deadly force.
This awareness course covers PUWER 1998, wheel types, markings and speed ratings, inspection and storage, mounting principles, guards, safe use, kickback, and dust, noise, vibration and fire hazards.
The course runs entirely in your browser. You can stop at any point and pick up where you left off, and once you pass the final assessment you can download a PDF certificate straight away.
Who it's for
- Groundworkers and civils operatives
- Steel fixers, fabricators and maintenance fitters
- Supervisors overseeing cutting work
- Anyone who uses abrasive wheel machines
Snippets from the course
Two short extracts taken straight from the course material, so you know exactly what you're signing up for.
Guards and dangerous parts
PUWER Regulation 11 requires measures to prevent contact with dangerous parts of machinery. For abrasive wheels this means the correct guard must be fitted and properly adjusted.
Fit the wheel
Ensure the bore fits the spindle without forcing. Do not use bushes unless approved. Tighten the locking nut with the correct tool only enough to hold the wheel — overtightening can crack it.
What's covered
Welcome and Introduction
- Welcome to Abrasive Wheels Safety Awareness
- Who this course is for
- What the course covers
- How the tests and pass mark work
Abrasive Wheels and the Hazards
- What is an abrasive wheel?
- Where they are used
- Wheel bursts
- Other hazards
The Law: PUWER 1998
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
- Training and competence
- Guards and dangerous parts
- Related legislation
Wheel Types, Markings and Speeds
- Types of wheel
- Wheel markings
- Speed and rpm
- Restriction of use codes
Inspection, Handling and Storage
- Inspecting a wheel
- The ring test
- Handling wheels
- Storing wheels
Mounting Wheels Correctly
- Isolate the machine
- Use the correct flanges
- Fit the wheel
- Adjust the guard
Safe Use of Grinders and Cut-Off Saws
- Before you start
- Holding and controlling the tool
- Kickback
- Applying pressure
Dust, Noise, Vibration, Fire and PPE
- Dust and silica
- Noise
- Hand-arm vibration
- Sparks and fire
Summary and Putting It Into Practice
- Recap of the key points
- Pre-use checklist
- Stop if unsure
- Reporting incidents
Final assessment
A longer multiple-choice assessment covering every module. Score 80% or more and your PDF certificate is issued immediately. You can retake it as many times as you need.
Start Abrasive Wheels Safety Awareness Course now
9 modules, a test after each one and a final assessment — all in your browser, all saved as you go.
You'll be asked to sign in or create a free account first, then pay £24.99 (includes VAT at 20%) to unlock the course. Your progress and certificate are saved to your account.