Quality abrasive manufacturers have always placed a great deal of emphasis on the education and instruction of their customers, either though literature or through practical training in-house or in the field.

As the main European organisation concerned with safety and standardisation for abrasives we are pleased to present this new FEPA Safety Code for Superabrasive products used in the Stone and Construction Industries. It covers all safety aspects including the handling, storage, transportation, preparation, use and disposal of these products and is the first of its kind in this field.

Manufacturers take great care to provide products that are as consistent and safe to use as possible. With this booklet we hope to extend that level of care to the education of all those involved with these superabrasive products. We hope that it finds many readers amongst those using or supplying the products and especially those involved in training.

I would like to thank numerous companies and colleagues within the industry for their help in compiling this safety code. Particularly, I would like to express my personal thanks to Geoff Clarke, Alfred Landl, Ingemar Mellgren and Oreste Veglio for their extensive input in organising and producing this publication.

Jan-Volkmar Runge, President of FEPA, April 2002