A 71-year-old man who was using an electric grinder tool while standing on a ladder suffered a massive cut from his face down to his chest.

A safety authority reported that the incident occurred while the worker was on a ladder, trimming steel wall structures overhead at an industrial site in Darwin.

Initially, the worker employed a five-inch angle grinder, an electric tool used for sharpening, for the first cuts. However, NT WorkSafe stated that he later opted for a larger grinder to expedite the task.

The grinder “kicked-back” causing the gruesome injury, which ran from the worker’s face, down his throat and into his chest.

NT WorkSafe issued a warning over using such tools.

It shared a photo of the grinder and the man’s stitches.

It said the nine inch versions of the tool can be harder to control, and added the worker wasn’t in a stable position.

It also said his eclectic lead could have been overloaded.

NT WorkSafe urged workers to carry out a risk assessment to identify alternative tools or methods of cutting before using a nine inch angle grinder.

Workers should make sure they have proper balance, and secure items they’re cutting.

Electric power tools and leads should only be modified by professionals.