Handheld disc cutter safety in construction

Duration

1 day of 6 learning hours 

Purpose/scope

The purpose of this standard is to provide the delegate with the knowledge and skills for the safe preparation and use of portable handheld disc cutters.

Scope: 

• health & safety regulations 
• petrol, electric and battery powered machines 
• storing and transporting 
• pre-start/post stop inspections  
• refuelling and recharging 
• dust suppression and water collection systems 
• operating machines 
• safe operating positions 
• security of cut section 
• blade selection and fitment of both abrasive cutting disc and diamond tipped blade 
• step cutting method 

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational group(s): 

• operative and craft  
• supervision 

Delegates pre-requisites

Delegates must have successfully completed training to the Abrasive wheels theory standard within the last 12 months.

Instruction/supervision

As a minimum, course trainers must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have: 

• an award in education and training (or equivalent, as per requirements for approved training organisations)   
• successfully completed training to this standard 
• at least 2 years relevant industrial experience 
• a verifiable CV 

Delivery

Delivery may be in an on or off the job environment 

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for delegates to achieve learning outcomes and must comply with relevant legislation 

The class size and delegate/trainer ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable delegates to achieve the learning outcomes 

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard: 

• classroom 
• workshop 

This standard is considered to contain 51% or more practical training 

Assessment

Methods of assessment considered appropriate for training delivered against this standard are: 

For the successful completion of training, delegates must complete an end of course practical assessment and knowledge test that measures all learning outcomes and has a pass or fail criteria.

Where this training is assessed using multiple-choice questions, a minimum of 10 questions must be asked and delegates are required to achieve an overall pass mark of at least 80%. 

Quality assurance

Assured 

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard 

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard 

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk-based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal

Renewal every 3 years

Classification

Recommended Refresher

Approval date

August 2021

Review cycle

On request or 3 years from approval date.

Learning outcomes to be refreshed

The delegate will be able to:

• explain the relevant health & safety legislation relating to the safe use of handheld disc cutters
• identify suitable personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment required, for example eye protection
• identify and select the correct type of portable handheld disc cutter and disc
• describe how to store, handle and transport portable handheld disc cutters
• explain the purpose of completing a site assessment prior to starting work
• undertake inspection and pre-start checks
• describe the procedure for dealing with defective equipment
• explain the safety features of a portable handheld disc cutter
• refuel or recharge a portable handheld disc cutter
  • Manufacturer’s manual
• demonstrate and explain the importance of fitting fuel cap correctly
  • Assessment checklist
• explain procedures when dealing with fuel spillage
• identify and use dust suppression and water collection systems
  • Manufacturers manuals for wet & dry vacuums
• demonstrate how to safely fit a cutting disc
• demonstrate the correct technique for starting a portable handheld disc cutter
• operate portable handheld disc cutters
• demonstrate checking and adjusting the guard with respect to the direction of sparks
• explain the causes of kickback, and how to avoid kickback
• demonstrate cutting various materials using correct techniques
• demonstrate how to support material for cutting on the ground
• perform post stop checks

Additional information about this standard

For the duties of those people using handheld disc cutters to be fully understood, the standard should be read in conjunction with the PUWER approved code of practice (ACOP).2 

www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg17.pdf