1910.215(a)(4): Grinder Work Rests
Employers must make sure offhand grinding machines use work rests to support the work. Work rests must be rigid, adjustable for wheel wear, kept within one-eighth inch of the wheel, securely clamped after each adjustment, and never adjusted while the wheel is turning.
Key takeaways
- 1910.215(a)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 1,052 times in the last 3 years, in 1,051 inspections, with $1,596,484 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (107), NY (78), IL (73).
- 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)(4) ("Work rests") is one requirement inside 1910.215 Abrasive wheel machinery, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). 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
(4) Work rests. On offhand grinding machines, work rests shall be used to support the work. They shall be of rigid construction and designed to be adjustable to compensate for wheel wear. Work rests shall be kept adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one-eighth inch to prevent the work from being jammed between the wheel and the rest, which may cause wheel breakage. The work rest shall be securely clamped after each adjustment. The adjustment shall not be made with the wheel in motion. 1,052 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.215.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.215(a)(4).
At 3:28 p.m. on September 23, 2024, an employee was performing maintenance on a forklift. The employee was attempting to change the oil and filter using floor jacks and blocks. During the task, the floor jack slipped, causing the forklift to fall and crush the…
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 | 67 |
| 2024 | 366 |
| 2025 | 369 |
| 2026 | 250 |
Top states: TN (107), NY (78), IL (73), NJ (72), CT (67)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SMITH-MIDLAND CORPORATION | MIDLAND, VA | $51,100 |
| UNIVERSAL PURE COLD STORAGE, LLC | LINCOLN, NE | $16,550 |
| 317737538 - TAYLORS SAUSAGE INC | CAVE JUNCTION, OR | $13,831 |
| MIDWEST CAN COMPANY, LLC | FRANKLIN PARK, IL | $12,768 |
| JINDAL TUBULAR USA LLC | BAY SAINT LOUIS, MS | $12,676 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.215(a)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.215(a)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.215(a) General requirements 1,234 citations
- 1910.215(a)(2) Guard design 105 citations
- 1910.215(a)(1) Machine guarding 77 citations
- 1910.215(a)(2)(i) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum gap between the work rest and the wheel?
One-eighth inch.
Can the work rest be adjusted while the wheel is spinning?
No. Adjustments must not be made with the wheel in motion.
Why does the gap matter?
A wide gap can let the work jam between the wheel and the rest, which may cause the wheel to break.
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.