SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Explosion / rupture

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20210518-5AA75-3288055. Severity: Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional. Product: Gator Grit 3873 (Ali Industries Sanding Backer Pad Model # 3873 4.5"). Incident: On 022021, while working in my work shop, a Ali Industries (Gator Grit) 4.5� Sanding Backer Pad (item # 3873) exploded while being used within a manner of its intended use and within it�s factory established limitations. The item broke apart at 13000 rpms, and a large chunk of hard plastic exploded into my left gloves hand which caused extreme pain that lasted for weeks. The subsequent injuries were contusions, lacerations and broken nails, also a possible fracture in left hand ring finger. I live in a rural area where hospital is usually over full with long waits, especially during COVID-19 times, so as an EMT I decided to self treat, however in retrospect I should have because Ali Industries is using just that as an excuse to not take any responsibility, they have not apologized, they did not compensate me for losing three weeks of work, and they are not interested in improving their product. As you can see in the attached pictures, an object like this was traveling at approximately 170 mph and would easily remove someone�s eye or worse. The Gator Grit backer pad was less than a year old, purchased at Lowe�s, was in excellent condition and was being used with Gator Grit brand sand disc designed for the product and a [REDACTED] Grinder.