1910.242: Safe Condition of Hand and Power Tools
Employers are responsible for the safe condition of all tools and equipment workers use, including tools workers bring from home. Compressed air may be used for cleaning only when reduced to less than 30 psi, and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.
Key takeaways
- 1910.242 is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 1,032 times in the last 3 years, in 1,026 inspections, with $1,892,924 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MN (270), TN (83), NY (59).
- Most-cited part: 1910.242(b) Compressed air used for cleaning (895 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.242, "Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general", is an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart P). It has 2 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1910.242 (2 paragraphs)
(a) General requirements. Each employer shall be responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by employees, including tools and equipment which may be furnished by employees. Open (a) 137 citations
(b) Compressed air used for cleaning. Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment. Open (b) 895 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 1,026 inspections cited 1910.242 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.242.
At 7:45 p.m. on September 27, 2024, Employee #1 was operating a dual-hopper log shaver when the employee made contact with the cutter heads of the machine. The employee was caught in the machine and sustained fatal injuries. The employee's body above the legs was…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 43 |
| 2024 | 367 |
| 2025 | 365 |
| 2026 | 257 |
Top states: MN (270), TN (83), NY (59), OR (42), NC (42)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALLOY WHEEL REPAIR SPECIALISTS, LLC | BATH, PA | $20,000 |
| JINDAL TUBULAR USA LLC | BAY SAINT LOUIS, MS | $16,131 |
| UTILITY BLOCK COMPANY INC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $14,898 |
| NC&SONS | WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJ | $14,187 |
| SOUTHWEST STEEL PROCESSING, LLC | NEWPORT, AR | $13,828 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.242.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1910.242(b) Compressed air used for cleaning 895 citations
- 1910.242(a) General requirements 137 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Is the employer responsible for tools workers bring themselves?
Yes. The employer is responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by employees, including those furnished by employees.
What pressure is allowed for cleaning with compressed air?
Less than 30 psi.
What else is needed when cleaning with compressed air?
Effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.242 (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 2026-11-06
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.