Do's and Don'ts of Power Wire Brushes

To prevent injury when using a power wire brush, follow the simple and effective rules listed below.

Do's

• Do store brushes in their original containers in a clean, dry location. Always handle and store brushes in a careful manner.
• Do inspect wire brushes for damage, rust and deterioration before using.
• Do check the speed of the brush and the tool. Do use only brushes with speeds rated at or above the tool’s rated speed.
• Do inspect tools for worn spindle bearings, bent spindle, proper spindle size, or any unusual conditions. Maintain your tools as if your safety depends on it.
• Do select brushes carefully for your application. The incorrect brush will not work effectively and can become dangerous.
• Do mount brushes properly using the tool’s mounting instructions.
• Do wear proper personal protection such as eye and face protection, apron, gloves, safety shoes, etc.
• Do wear government-approved respiratory protection (when required).
• Do review all applicable MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) before using this product.
• Do run brush in protected area for one minute before using. Avoid standing in front of or inline with the brush during the one-minute start-up test.
• Do inspect rotating brushes for flutter or vibration, as this could be an indication of a poorly installed brush, damaged tool, or damaged brush.
• Do use the side handle furnished with machine (angle grinders).
• Do always use properly adjusted wheel guard furnished with machine.
• Do avoid excessive pressure when using a brush. Excessive pressure causes over-bending of the filaments and heat build up resulting in filament breakage, rapid dulling and reduced brush life.
• Do direct any stream (shower) of flying particles away from anyone’s face or body. Shield bystanders from any flying particles.
• Do follow any symbols and warnings located on the brush or its packaging.
• Do comply with ANSI B165.1, OSHA and all safety materials provided with the brushes and the tools.
• Do visit the brush manufacturer’s website for additional safety information.
• Do contact your brush manufacturer if you have any safety questions. 

Don'ts

• Don’t use a power (wire) brush if you have not reviewed all of the safety materials and not been properly trained in the use of the tool and brush.
• Don’t mount any brushes on tools that they do not fit. Don’t mismatch a brush and tool.
• Don’t use a power (wire) brush unless you and bystanders are wearing proper personal protection such as eye and face protection, apron, gloves, safety shoes, etc.
• Don’t exceed the speed marked on the power (wire) brush.
• Don’t use damaged or worn out brushes.
• Don’t use excessive pressure when using a brush.
• Don’t use on any machine NOT equipped with the proper guard.
• Don’t remove the side handle furnished with machine (angle grinders).
• Don’t create a fire hazard, shield any nearby flammable materials to prevent ignition from the spark stream (shower) or from latent sparks.
• Don’t jam the work into the brush.

Many brush manufacturers mark some safety warnings, recommendations, and usage restrictions directly on the product. It is not always practical to include even the most limited safety information on the brush itself. Therefore, the operator MUST READ and FOLLOW all instructions supplied in or on the product container as well as those on the product itself. The operator should also refer to the safety and operating information printed in the brush manufacturer’s catalog and other literature.

Check out some of our other product safety pages like Do's and Don’ts of Flap Discs or Do's and Don'ts of Bench Grinding Wheels.

For additional information on this topic or if you need any other abrasive safety information, please review the Norton Product Safety page, ANSI, OSHA, and all literature provided by the abrasive wheel and machine manufacturer. You may contact the Saint-Gobain Product Safety Department at (508) 795-2317, or contact your Saint-Gobain Abrasives representative with any safety related questions.