Angle Grinders and Gloves

[ramonski72]

Ok, I've always worn leather gloves when using an angle grinder to be safe.
However, I've been told recently that this is actually a dangerous practice in that the glove can get caught in the rotating kit, pinch, and take fingers with it.
This seems feasible but now I don't know - what do you guys think. Should gloves be worn or not?

[DJ’s Timber]

Never wear gloves with machinery that have moving parts, have seen it happen to 2 different guys and lets just say it's not a pleasant view.

[Article99]

Never wear gloves with machinery that have moving parts, have seen it happen to 2 different guys and lets just say it's not a pleasant view.

In the toolroom I'm at, some blokes wear cotton gloves to keep their hands a bit cleaner. Unfortunately their hands still cop a fair bit of dust and grime and pretty much any grinding wheel will drag their hand in if it gets so much as a whiff of cotton.

Leather gloves may, however, be a bit different, as leather is generally quite resistant to abrasion and may not get grabbed like a cotton or placky glove would. Myself, I still wouldn't bet a finger on it tho.

[BobL]

Never wear gloves with machinery that have moving parts, have seen it happen to 2 different guys and lets just say it's not a pleasant view.

In general I agree, but I wouldn't say "never". For examble I wear gloves when using chainsaws and jackhammers, although this is more for comfort than safety - although some might say that comfort eventually translates into safety.

[dazzler]

I have often worn those big blue type leather gloves when grinding to stop all the metal sparks/shavings burning my hands.

I understand the logic of not wearing them but it would be pretty damned hard to get your fingers caught with an angle grinder seeing as one is on the handle and one is on the main body.

I think DJS is technically right but this may be an exception. Metal filings embedded in the skin slowly rusting into the blood supply may be just as bad as becoming Captn hook

[joe greiner]

I'd say it's a mixed bag. Although gloves seem to increase safety, they not only can get caught but they also can reduce control of the tool because your sense of feel is reduced. Best bet is to practice with both chain saws and grinders to better learn their behaviours, and then dispense with the gloves. And NEVER employ the trigger lock; if you sense loss of control, drop it and run.

Joe

[Cliff Rogers]

Shirt sleeves & shirt tails can also get caught in moving machinery too, if they are loose.
The emphisys here is on loose.

[SPIRIT]

never wear glove bloody dangers habit ,just remember never pick things up that you just cut

[BobL]

I'd say it's a mixed bag. Although gloves seem to increase safety, they not only can get caught but they also can reduce control of the tool because your sense of feel is reduced. Best bet is to practice with both chain saws and grinders to better learn their behaviours, and then dispense with the gloves. And NEVER employ the trigger lock; if you sense loss of control, drop it and run.

Joe

My experience with chainsaws and jackhammers is that after using them for a more than say 10 minutes my hands start to go numb and after about 30 minutes of use my hands will be completely numb. Soft leather gloves with extra padding in the palms and fingers really reduce this problem significantly. I figure I am less dangerous with these gloves than without. Grinders are not the sort of thing I use for long periods so I have no problem with using them without gloves.

PS: Stihl recommends the use of gloves at all times especially to counteract users affected by vibration.

[Waldo]

G'day,

I'll go with Djstimber and Cliff, never wear gloves for the reasons they already said. Only time I'll wear gloves is for welding...

when I'm trying to stuff up two bits of metal, which is a change from stuffing up bits of timber.

[Santalum]

Morning all, the old adage is never wear gloves with rotating machinery Jon.

[Rodt68]

G'Day Everyone,

Gloves are like any item of PPE. If they are not worn properly or are not the right type or they don't fit they can contribute to causing an injury.

If you are using the equipment innapropriately then you will more than likely have an incident regardless of the PPE. Most peoples' nature though is that they wear PPE and then feel like they are protected and it is this attitude that leads to a false sense of security.

By far the most injuries I have seen with grinders has come from objects hitting the hands or arms (usually due to removed guards) and "white knuckle" (numbness etc).

Like always you should evaluate what the job is and how you get hurt and then determine if the PPE is an adequate enough control but never think it is the ultimate control.

Cheers

Rod

[Cliff Rogers]

...I'll go with Djstimber and Cliff, never wear gloves for the reasons they already said. ..

I didn't say NOT to wear them.... my comment was about LOOSE clothing.

..Gloves are like any item of PPE. If they are not worn properly or are not the right type or they don't fit they can contribute to causing an injury....

That is what I meant.

I do wear gloves, I have different gloves for different jobs.
When I work close to moving or rotating things, I wear heavy tough leather gauntlets.
I had my left hand slip off the front grip of my chainsaw & it hit the rotating chain... lucky I had my gloves on 'cos I hit a new chisel 404 chain tip & all it did was rip a bit out of the finger of the glove.

I also have woven cotton gloves for some jobs & they are a good close fit. They are fine near a grinding wheel but I wouldn't wear them near a wire wheel or a chainsaw.

[Bleedin Thumb]

I think it is good to wear a welding glove when grinding but on the hand that is on the trigger. Thats the hand that is away from the blade - its also the one that cops the sparks.

Its also not a good idea to use a grinder if you are wearing a tutu as the sparks can be quite dangerous.

[Cliff Rogers]

...Its also not a good idea to use a grinder if you are wearing a tutu as the sparks can be quite dangerous.

How do you know?