1910.243(a)(1): Portable circular saws
Key takeaways
- 1910.243(a)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 9 times in the last 3 years, in 9 inspections, with $53,314 in current penalties.
- Related part: 1910.243(a) Portable powered tool (20 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.243(a)(1) ("Portable circular saws") is one requirement inside 1910.243 Guarding of portable powered tools, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart P). 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
(1) Portable circular saws. 9 citations
(i) All portable, power-driven circular saws having a blade diameter greater than 2 in. shall be equipped with guards above and below the base plate or shoe. The upper guard shall cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc required to permit the base to be tilted for bevel cuts. The lower guard shall cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc required to allow proper retraction and contact with the work. When the tool is withdrawn from the work, the lower guard shall automatically and instantly return to covering position. Open (a)(1)(i) 9 citations
(ii) Paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section does not apply to circular saws used in the meat industry for meat cutting purposes.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.243.
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.243(a) Portable powered tool 20 citations
- 1910.243(a)(1)(i) 9 citations
- 1910.243(a)(2) Switches and controls 7 citations
- 1910.243(a)(2)(ii) 4 citations
- 1910.243(a)(4) Cracked saws 1 citations
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.243 (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 2026-10-22
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.