Adequate extraction and PPE should control the risk, task based risk assessment is the key here. Pete,

Hi, The controls required are indicated on each individual MSDS for the wheel chosen and you will see that most grinding wheels are classed as non-harmful and present minimal risk, other than inhaleable dust produced during their use, and therefore adequate dust extraction at source will negate the risk to the operative, as does the provision of eye protection (for eye injury) and any other identified PPE, similarly. Most grinding wheels are made up of numerous man-made and naturally occuring minerals and are not classified under EH40 as hazardous generally (therefore arguably not requiring COSHH assessment), and because they are compound in nature it is impractical to monitor each component, other than in the form of dust, and therefore a common WEL or STEL needs to be applied re dust exposure and this is only applicable where individual exposure nears this level (grinding is usually a very short duration task on bench grinders), to clarify on my previous response. Pete,

What if they on a surface grinder or form grinder dressing the wheel dry???