April 21, 2025
Abrasives are commonly used in metalworking, the manufacturing and automotive industries, woodworking, and other industrial processing applications. However, even with some recent improvements in the tools and products available, using abrasives can still be hazardous. Workers who use these materials must be trained on the potential hazards and equipped with the appropriate PPE and other protections.
Conducting a thorough risk assessment for workers who use abrasives is the first step toward understanding all the risks involved with abrasive usage. Once the risks are known and documented, the next step is figuring out how to help reduce or even eliminate exposure where possible. Nick Manor, an expert in abrasives and safety at 3M, explained the most common of these hazards, as well as some possible ways to help reduce worker risk.
Hazards of Using Abrasives
Airborne Particulates
Abrasive activities often produce high volumes of dust. Some dust particles,