Organization for the Safety of Abrasives (oSa)
Safety and quality alliance
When performing grinding and cutting work, it’s often necessary to work with extremely high speeds. There are no grinding tool safety standards that apply globally. However, the only way to avoid the potential hazards is to maintain extremely high safety standards. The Organization for the Safety of Abrasives, or oSa for short, has made it its mission to address this issue. oSa members comply with the most stringent testing requirements, thereby earning a safety certificate with which they can mark their products.
PFERD has always put user safety at the very top of its agenda, and that’s one of the reasons why we’re a founder member of oSa. Place your trust in the oSa safety standards and join us as we strive to make the world of tools safer.
Safe tools thanks to oSa certification
oSa’s registered trademark is synonymous with the highest degree of safety right across the globe, which is why it has a strict admissions policy and monitoring system. This is crucial to maintaining the highest safety standards and adequately protecting users. In addition to complying with relevant EN standards (EN 12413, EN 13236, EN 13743), certified manufacturers also need to meet strict oSa criteria:
- The manufacturer must voluntarily commit to upholding these standards
- The manufacturer must have in-house testing equipment and expertise
- Certified quality management system which documents the processes
- Independent product tests
- Independent safety audit by external auditors
- Regular production controls and product monitoring
- Safety ensured as the products can be traced back to the manufacturer
Our membership of oSa enables us to improve our testing criteria on an ongoing basis and incorporate the latest developments and findings regarding tool safety. For example, the tests verify the products’ side loading capacity and resistance to bursting, as well as the strength of the joint between the abrasive and blank.
Advocating for tool safety since the turn of the millennium
oSa was founded in 2000, and PFERD has been a member from the very outset. Boasting a membership of more than 60 leading international tool manufacturers, the Bonn-based organization is now an internationally recognized centre of excellence for the safety of grinding and cutting tools.