1910.215(a)(2): Abrasive Wheel Guard Design
Employers must use safety guards that cover the spindle end, nut and flange projections, stay aligned with the wheel and have fastenings stronger than the guard. These parts may be exposed where the work itself protects the operator or on machines designed as portable saws, and side covers may be left off where the work fully covers the side of the wheel.
Key takeaways
- 1910.215(a)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 105 times in the last 3 years, in 105 inspections, with $195,392 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NC (14), FL (9), CT (8).
- Related part: 1910.215(a) General requirements (1,234 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.215(a)(2) ("Guard design") is one requirement inside 1910.215 Abrasive wheel machinery, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(2) Guard design. The safety guard shall cover the spindle end, nut, and flange projections. The safety guard shall be mounted so as to maintain proper alignment with the wheel, and the strength of the fastenings shall exceed the strength of the guard, except: 105 citations
(i) Safety guards on all operations where the work provides a suitable measure of protection to the operator, may be so constructed that the spindle end, nut, and outer flange are exposed; and where the nature of the work is such as to entirely cover the side of the wheel, the side covers of the guard may be omitted; and Open (a)(2)(i) 1 citations
(ii) The spindle end, nut, and outer flange may be exposed on machines designed as portable saws.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.215.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 35 |
| 2026 | 25 |
Top states: NC (14), FL (9), CT (8), TN (8), VA (7)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CPX2025XTN246X0012 - PILGRIM SCREW CORPORATION | CHANDLER, AZ | $8,276 |
| YUSA CORPORATION | WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OH | $8,066 |
| SIZEMORE WELDING, INC. | BUNNELL, FL | $6,700 |
| COASTAL INDUSTRIES, INC. | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $6,500 |
| ASTRO MACHINE CORPORATION | ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL | $5,958 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.215(a)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.215(a) General requirements 1,234 citations
- 1910.215(a)(4) Work rests 1,052 citations
- 1910.215(a)(1) Machine guarding 77 citations
- 1910.215(a)(2)(i) 1 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What must an abrasive wheel guard cover?
The spindle end, nut and flange projections.
How strong must the guard fastenings be?
The strength of the fastenings must exceed the strength of the guard.
When can the side covers be omitted?
Where the nature of the work is such as to entirely cover the side of the wheel.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.215 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.