1926.304(d): Guards on Portable Circular Saws
All portable power-driven circular saws must have guards above and below the base plate or shoe. The upper and lower guards must cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except for the small arcs needed for bevel cuts and retraction, and the lower guard must automatically and instantly return to cover the blade when the saw is withdrawn from the work.
Key takeaways
- 1926.304(d) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 178 times in the last 3 years, in 178 inspections, with $484,073 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (70), FL (34), AL (30).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.304(d) ("Guarding") is one requirement inside 1926.304 Woodworking tools, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart I). 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
(d) Guarding. All portable, power-driven circular saws 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 When the tool is withdrawn from the work, the lower guard shall automatically and instantly return to the covering position. 178 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.304.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 49 |
| 2025 | 68 |
| 2026 | 52 |
Top states: TX (70), FL (34), AL (30), GA (23), MD (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR INCORPORATED | DOUGLASVILLE, GA | $8,711 |
| EKO PAINTING INC | HONOLULU, HI | $5,760 |
| RICARDO GOMEZ | SEAGOVILLE, TX | $5,462 |
| JORGE EDUARDO CORTEZ | DESOTO, TX | $4,965 |
| ARTURO SIFUENTES | ROYSE CITY, TX | $4,965 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.304(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.304(d).
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
Do portable circular saws need a lower guard?
Yes. Guards are required above and below the base plate or shoe.
What must the lower guard do after a cut?
Automatically and instantly return to the covering position when the tool is withdrawn from the work.
How much of the blade must the guards cover?
Both guards must cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except the minimum arc needed for bevel cuts or retraction.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.304 (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.