Safety Tools grinding tool test at Equinor Mongstad
Equinor Mongstad needed to remove paint and coatings from surfaces, corners, and weld edges prior to welding and fitting of plates inside tank TK-704.
Traditional grinding and sandblasting methods often generate dust, sparks, and require extensive ventilation or post-processing.
A field test was therefore conducted using ATEX-certified, non-sparking grinding tools from Safety Tools Allmet.
Testing setup
| Area | Surface | Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat sections | Paint on carbon steel | Grinding disc (A-0500) | Rapid paint removal before welding |
| 90° corners / weld edges | Paint on carbon steel | Grinding file (A-0004) | Precise cleaning close to the weld line |
| Heavy flaking rust | Corroded steel | Grinding disc (A-0500) | Evaluation of the tool’s ability to cut into rust |
Results
Fast and Dust-Free Paint Removal
The paint was removed efficiently from both flat surfaces and corners.
No visible airborne dust was generated, eliminating the need for additional dust protection and significantly reducing cleanup time.
Ergonomics and Safety
Operators reported low vibration and no need for heavy pressure during use.
The non-sparking system minimizes the risk of ignition in potentially explosive environments.
Handling Heavy Corrosion / Equinor’s Observations
On thick layers of flaking rust, the A-0500 disc polished the surface but did not cut effectively.
For best results, loose rust should be knocked off before grinding.
Recommendation from Safety Tools Allmet:
Use rotary files with a coarser profile to remove heavy flaking rust before switching back to the grinding disc.
Thick Coating Layers at the Bottom of TK-704
Multiple layers of coating were successfully removed without any dust generation.
The alternative approach, sandblasting. Would have been significantly more expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive to operations.
Conclusion
The field test confirms that the Safety Tools system is a safe, effective, and cost-efficient solution for paint removal in critical process environments – even in tight corners and along welds.
In cases of severe corrosion, initial mechanical flaking is recommended, but for all other applications, the tools deliver high material removal rates without dust and without the need for additional pressure.
Next Step
Planned use:
The tools will now be deployed in multiple welding zones on TK-704.
Would you like a demonstration or more information on how our non-sparking tools can streamline your maintenance operations?
Contact us at sales@safetytools.no or call +47 56 32 36 50.