When holding one end of the tungsten against the grinding wheel, the other end must not be pointed toward which area?

• A. The grinding wheel
• B. The floor
• C. The ceiling
• D. Your palm/hand

Answer: (D)

When grinding a tungsten electrode, the free end of the electrode must be kept away from your body. The opposite end is where you’re holding or guiding the part, and if it were pointed toward your palm or hand, a fracture, wheel snag, or hot fragment could be propelled toward your skin, causing burns or injury. Directing the end away from you minimizes the risk of contact with hot metal or flying particles. While pointing toward the floor or ceiling isn’t ideal either, the most immediate safety risk is to your hand, which is why that end should never be directed at it.