Wire Brush Safety: Flying Wires, Debris & Dust

• Eye injuries from broken wire bristles or flying debris
• Cuts or punctures from sharp wire bristles
• Dust, rust, paint, or residue becoming airborne
• Hand injuries from slipping or poor grip
• Entanglement hazards with powered wire brushes
• Using damaged, worn, or incorrect wire brushes

Wire brush safety requires controlling sharp bristles, flying wires, debris, and dust during cleaning, rust removal, surface preparation, and maintenance work. Damaged brushes or excessive pressure can release wires and material that can injure the eyes, hands, face, and skin.

Workers should inspect wire brushes before use. Loose bristles, broken wires, cracked handles, damaged wheels, or worn brush heads should be corrected before starting.

Eye and face protection may be needed because broken wire bristles, rust, scale, paint chips, and other debris can break loose and travel quickly.

Gloves may be needed to protect hands from sharp bristles and rough material. Workers should be cautious with gloves around rotating powered tools where entanglement is possible.

The material being cleaned should be considered. Old paint, chemical residue, rust, dust, or coatings may require ventilation, respiratory protection, or special cleanup.

Powered wire brushes create additional hazards. Workers should use a brush designed for the tool, material, and operating speed and should keep guards in place when required.

Workers should maintain control and avoid excessive pressure. Forcing a wire brush into the surface can damage the brush, break wires, increase flying debris, or cause a powered tool to grab.

Safe wire brush use means inspecting the brush, protecting against flying wires and debris, controlling dust and hazardous residue, using the correct brush and speed, and applying only enough pressure to perform the work safely.

• Inspect wire brushes before use.
• Do not use brushes with loose, broken, or damaged wires.
• Wear eye protection.
• Use gloves when appropriate for hand protection.
• Control dust, paint chips, rust, and residue.
• Use powered brushes only at approved speeds.
• Keep guards in place on powered tools when required.

• Is the wire brush in good condition?
• Could wires, rust, paint, or debris become airborne?
• What eye, hand, or respiratory protection is needed?
• Is the brush suitable for the tool speed and material?
• Could the material being removed contain hazardous residue?