Abrasive wheels: pre-use check and training record
Angle grinders, disc cutters and wall chasers cause serious injuries when the wrong disc is fitted or a wheel bursts. Check the tool and wheel before use and keep a record of who is trained to mount them.
What the law says
The Abrasive Wheels Regulations 1970 were repealed and replaced by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). Under PUWER, work equipment must be suitable, maintained and guarded, and everyone who uses or supervises it must have adequate training (regulation 9). HSE guidance HSG17, Safety in the use of abrasive wheels, covers choosing, mounting and using wheels.
Is abrasive wheels training a legal requirement?
The law does not name a course, but PUWER requires adequate training for anyone who uses, mounts or supervises the use of abrasive wheels. A recognised abrasive wheels course with a certificate is the usual way to show it.
Who can change a disc on an angle grinder?
Someone trained and competent to select and mount wheels for that tool. The wrong disc, damaged flanges or a disc rated below the tool speed can make it burst.
What about the dust?
Cutting brick, block, concrete and stone makes silica dust. Use water suppression or on-tool extraction and a face-fit tested FFP3 mask, and brief the team with the silica dust toolbox talk.
Checked against HSE HSG17 and legislation.gov.uk (PUWER 1998, regulation 9) on 31 October 2026. This page is general guidance, not legal advice.