Rank: New forum user 
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Has anyone had any experience of using gauntlets to protect forearms from cuts when using angle grinders?
We've recently had an injury where a grinder slipped from a lad's grip and hit his forearm - resulting in 6 stitches. So now I'm looking at the possibility of protective equipment (the lad is competent, it was a straightforward task, he was supervised and the grinder was in good working order). Welding gauntlets seem a bit bulky and I'm concerned the lack of feel could reduce control and actually increase risk. I did a bit of research and came across a product used by chainsaw operators called forearm chaps that wrap around the base of your thumb/palm of your hand and extend up to the elbow that looked like a good idea.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience, advice, opinions etc?
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Rank: Forum user
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I think your concerns with Gauntlets are justified, and I would use them in our business for those reasons. We have 20 engineers grinding daily, and I have known this sort of injury to happen once in my 15 years. I think the lack of feeling from a gauntlet would increase the risk, not reduce the risk. Maybe considering time spent grinding, or whether there are other machines that could do the same job maybe an option. If it's short duration grinding i.e. general fabrication do you really think the engineer will take the time to put on a forearm guard, and remove when he has finished the 2 minute grinding operation?
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Rank: Forum user
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I meant "would not" not would us them
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Rank: Forum user
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The other thing to consider is that when wearing thick gloves the operator will use a stronger grip to maintain control of the grinder, this will increase the risk of HAVS.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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wturner wrote:I think your concerns with Gauntlets are justified, and I would use them in our business for those reasons. We have 20 engineers grinding daily, and I have known this sort of injury to happen once in my 15 years. I think the lack of feeling from a gauntlet would increase the risk, not reduce the risk. Maybe considering time spent grinding, or whether there are other machines that could do the same job maybe an option. If it's short duration grinding i.e. general fabrication do you really think the engineer will take the time to put on a forearm guard, and remove when he has finished the 2 minute grinding operation?
Do you really have 20 Engineers using angle grinders daily, why are you using Professional Engineers to do the work of tradesmen?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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How about a Kevlar sleeve? Available form most H&S retail outlets. Then we use a nitrile grip glove that has a perforated back for comfort.
We use these sleeves onsite quite a bit, they are also quite good at protecting from heat (not designed for that, just a bonus).
Pete
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Rank: Super forum user
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'forearm chaps' are a type of Kevlar although designed to stop / snagg chain saws
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sorry Bob, didn't mean to stamp all over your post ;-)
I haven't come across forearm chaps before, might be worth an investigation.
Pete
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Rank: Super forum user 
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You could buy a grinder with an anti kick back device.
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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Another thought, could it have been down to fatigue? As you say, he was experienced and it was a straight forward task. Could it be that while the task was straight forward, it was physically tiring and thus his grip went?
It might worth considering splitting the work up into segments or that the operator simply stops for a few moments to stretch their hands/arms?
Just a thought.
Pete
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