Abrasive Wheels Awareness

Abrasive wheels are widely used across hazardous industries for cutting, grinding, and shaping materials. While essential tools, they can present serious risks if selected, mounted, used, or maintained incorrectly. Wheel burst, flying debris, dust exposure, vibration, and noise all have the potential to cause sever injury or long-term health effects. 

This Abrasive Wheels Awareness course provides learners with the knowledge needed to recognise abrasive wheel hazards, understand how wheels are specified and labelled, and apply safe practices when working with or around grinding equipment. The course also explains inspection requirements, correct storage, legal duties under PUWER, and the importance of personal protective equipment. 

This training is suitable for:

• Workers who use or work near abrasive wheels or grinding equipment
• Emergency services and technical response teams
• Supervisors and team leaders responsible for equipment safety
• Anyone requiring abrasive wheel awareness under PUWER

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

LO1: Define what an abrasive wheel is and describe its main characteristics

LO2: Describe the difference between pedestal and portable grinding machines and their applications

LO3: Identify manufacturer markings, test record numbers, expiry dates, and use restrictions.

LO4: Recognise both immediate and long-term health effects of abrasive wheel use 

LO5: Explain how to conduct a visual inspection and ring test of abrasive wheels 

LO6: Identify appropriate storage methods for different abrasive wheel types  

LO7: Explain how to select, mount, and use abrasive wheels correctly 

LO8: Identify control measures and PPE required to reduce the risk of injury 

LO9: Explain the role of PUWER in governing abrasive wheel safety 

LO10: Describe employer and employee responsibilities for safe abrasive wheel use 

This course combines high-impact visuals, clear narration, and interactive activities to guide learners through:

• What abrasive wheels are and how they are manufactured
• Differences between pedestal and portable grinders
• Abrasive wheel labelling, markings, and speed limitations
• Common hazards including wheel burst, debris, dust, noise, and vibration
• Health risks such as eye injuries, respiratory damage, HAVS, and hearing loss
• Pre-use inspection methods, including visual checks and ring testing
• Safe storage requirements to prevent deterioration and damage
• Correct selection, mounting, and operation of abrasive wheels
• Safety guards, shields, and PPE requirements
• Legal duties under PUWER and shared responsibility for safety 

This Abrasive Wheels Awareness training course ends with a 10-question multiple choice assessment with a downloadable certificate.

User certificates, training progress, and results are all stored centrally in your LMS and can be accessed any time to reprint certificates, check and set pass marks, and act as proof of a commitment to ongoing legal compliance. 

Your Abrasive Wheels Awareness training certificate includes your name, company (if applicable), course title, date of completion, expiry date, and relevant accreditations or approval stamps.

Note: If using SCORM delivery via a third-party LMS, certification will need to be generated within your host LMS