TS 440
English
22
appropriate Assigned Protection Factor. 
If you are unable to determine the water 
flow rate, to reduce the risk of serious or 
fatal respiratory illness or cancer the 
operator and any bystanders should 
always wear a properly rated, NIOSH-
approved respirator with an Assigned 
Protection Factor sufficient to provide 
the level of respiratory protection 
needed for worksite- specific conditions.
Points to be noted with diamond and 
composite cutting wheels
Object to be cut
– Must be fully supported
– Must be secured so that it cannot 
roll or slip away
– Must be protected against vibration 
and movement
The cutting sequence
There are many ways to cut materials 
and objects with a cut-off machine and 
the operator and/or his supervisor, with 
knowledge of the job site conditions and 
requirements, always must exercise 
good judgment and discretion in 
determining how to safely complete a 
cutting task. The methods described in 
the following sections, while constituting 
proven techniques, are illustrative only 
and are not meant to substitute for the 
judgment of the experienced workmen 
with direct knowledge of on-site 
conditions.
However, the cutting sequence is 
important. The last cut must always be 
made in such a way that the cutting 
wheel cannot become pinched, bound 
or clamped and so that the operator, co-
workers and bystanders are not at risk of 
being injured by a falling part that has 
been cut off or out, or by cutting debris or 
sparks.
Leave small sections of uncut material to 
hold the part being severed in position. 
These sections can later be broken 
through manually, using a hammer or 
other appropriate tool. Always continue 
to wear appropriate eye protection when 
finishing a cut by breaking it manually.
A number of points must be decided 
before the part is finally severed:
– How heavy is the part?
– In which direction can it move or fall 
after being severed?
– Is it under tension?
– Is it properly supported to prevent 
pinching or binding of the wheel?
The operator, co-workers and 
bystanders must not be put at risk of 
injury when the part is broken off or falls.
Cutting in several passes
N Mark cutting line (A).
N Work along the cutting line. If 
corrections are necessary, always 
lift the machine and reposition the 
cutting wheel, taking care to ensure 
that it is not wedged, tilted, twisted 
or side loaded. Attempting to 
change the position or direction of a 
cut while the wheel is in the cut can 
bind the wheel. This can lead to 
kickback, other reactive forces or a 
shattered composite cutting wheel, 
which could result in severe or fatal 
personal injury.The cutting depth 
per pass should not exceed 2“ to 
2 1/2“ (5 to 6 cm). Thicker material 
must be cut in several passes. The 
maximum cutting depth for abrasive 
cutting wheels with a 14" diameter is 
4.9 in. (125 mm).
Cutting slabs
N Secure the slab (e. g. on a non-slip 
surface, sandbed) and mark the 
cutting line.
180BA027 AM