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OPSS has issued a Product Safety Alert for angle grinder chainsaw disc attachments which have been identified as presenting a serious risk of injury or fatality. Consumers, local authority trading standards and businesses are asked to take specific action to cease use or remove them from the market. Date of issue: 30th June 2021
This alert follows reports of injuries arising from kickback caused by the chain gripping the cutting surface and forcing the angle grinder to sharply turn or jump out of the hand of the operator, leading to hand, finger, head injury or fatality.
These chainsaw discs are marketed to be used with angle grinders and simulate a chainsaw effect. However, angle grinders are not designed for use with such accessories as they do not incorporate the safety features required for electric chainsaws. Further information on risk is contained in the Risk Summary.
Under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 only safe machinery can be placed on the market. Angle Grinders [and any interchangeable equipment] must comply with the essential safety requirements. The relevant standard BS 60745-2-3 requires product instructions to bear this warning “Do not attach a saw chain woodcarving blade or toothed saw blade. Such blades create frequent kickback and loss of control”.
Chainsaw Discs that are marketed to be used on angle grinders could be considered interchangeable equipment under the 2008 Regulations and based on OPSS risk assessment are not able to meet the essential safety requirements when combined with an angle grinder.
Two chainsaw discs were reported as having serious risk of injury in the OPSS Product Safety Report (No 7 – 19 February 2021).
Consumers, local authority trading standards services and businesses are asked to take specific action to cease use or remove them from the market as advised below.
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