"Dust collection equipment needs to be maintained properly," adds Rosencrantz. "Most all of the high end grinders have fail safes now for a projectile hazard like a grinding head or tool flying off the machine."

"In general, diamond grinders are very safe machines," says Turek. "SASE recommends the use of all standard OSHA approved safety equipment: hard hat, eye protection, ear protection, steel toed boots, appropriate respirator and any other locally required or recommended safety equipment or precautions when operating any equipment on a jobsite."

Opportunities arise
What's next? The potential for industry growth is huge. With forethought and education, even more opportunities can open up for grinder owners.

"One thing that I find often is that there has been a huge influx of popularity in concrete polishing yet most overlook the fact that the concrete grinders can be used for demolition work, coating removal and preparation for all sorts of coating and overlayment systems," says Rosencratz. "That is easy money and people or companies will pay well for a properly prepped floor to make their coating perform correctly."

"Polishing concrete takes a craftsman no matter what machine he or she uses," says Padgett. "Knowledge is the key to doing it right every time when every slab is different and reacts differently than the previous one. If the personal interaction is cut off before the knowledge base matures enough on its own, it could affect the current market to shift to companies more prepared to do so."

Harry Spaulding is a Boston-based freelance writer with more than 10 years experience in the building industry.