An accident occurred at XXXXXXXXX power station construction project involving a 100mm grinder. The operative had cut metal cable tray with the grinder and was trying to turn the machine off with his thumb. When the switch would not move he adjusted his grip to look at the switch and in doing so, caught the tip of his finger on the cutting disc resulting in an injury to the right index finger. The injury though painful was not too severe, but could have been much worse had the finger become entangled between the disc and the guard. The investigation has revealed that there had been an unauthorised adjustment to the machine that could be easy to miss.
The grinder on the right is the one that was being used. Notice the switch position.
The switch had become stuck under the edge of the guard.
This picture is from the Makita website. It clearly shows the switch on the side of the machine.
The head of the machine shows the fixing screws are in a square pattern allowing the head to be refitted in 4 different positions.
All other machines were inspected, none were found to have had similar unauthorized adjustments. Please ensure that inspections are carried out on all of the machines under your control and that all store-men, Portable Appliance Testers, and all operatives are made aware that this alteration is possible.
