Product Safety Alert: Angle Grinder Chainsaw Disc Attachment (PSA2)
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
Angle grinder chainsaw disc attachments
These products present a risk of serious injury or fatality from the disc slipping or producing kick back when in use.
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.
Advised action
Consumers
- Should stop using any chainsaw disc with an angle grinder.
- If the product was marketed as compatible for use with an angle grinder, you may be entitled to redress under the Consumer Protection Regulations and you should contact the business that supplied the product.
Businesses
- Must comply with their obligations under product safety law.
- Must remove from the market angle grinder chainsaw disc accessories as they cannot comply with the essential safety requirements under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008.
Local Authority Trading Standards and Environmental Health in Northern Ireland
- Should identify and take appropriate action against businesses that sell angle grinder chainsaw disc accessories as they do not comply with the essential safety requirements set down in the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008.
Additional information and resources