1910.215(b)(9): Adjustable Grinder Guard Tongue
Employers must make sure bench, floor stand and cylindrical grinder guards, where the operator stands in front of the opening, can be adjusted as the wheel wears smaller. The top opening angle limits must never be exceeded, and the gap between the wheel and the adjustable tongue at the top must never be more than one-fourth inch.
Key takeaways
- 1910.215(b)(9) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 1,113 times in the last 3 years, in 1,113 inspections, with $921,588 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (145), CT (90), NC (78).
- Related part: 1910.215(b) Guarding of abrasive wheel machinery (1,135 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9) ("Exposure adjustment") 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
(9) Exposure adjustment. Safety guards of the types described in subparagraphs (3) and (4) of this paragraph, where the operator stands in front of the opening, shall be constructed so that the peripheral protecting member can be adjusted to the constantly decreasing diameter of the wheel. The maximum angular exposure above the horizontal plane of the wheel spindle as specified in paragraphs (b) (3) and (4) of this section shall never be exceeded, and the distance between the wheel periphery and the adjustable tongue or the end of the peripheral member at the top shall never exceed one-fourth inch. (See Figures O-18, O-19, O-20, O-21, O-22, and O-23.) 1,113 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(b)(9).
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 | 77 |
| 2024 | 407 |
| 2025 | 351 |
| 2026 | 278 |
Top states: TN (145), CT (90), NC (78), NJ (60), IL (56)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $15,875 |
| SOCORRO, CITY OF, PARKS DEPARTMENT | SOCORRO, NM | $11,250 |
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $10,046 |
| CENTRAL STATES MARKETING & MANUFACTURING, INC. | MC PHERSON, KS | $9,930 |
| HBD / THERMOID, INC. | CHANUTE, KS | $9,127 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.215(b)(9), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.215(b)(9).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.215(b) Guarding of abrasive wheel machinery 1,135 citations
- 1910.215(b)(5) Surface grinders and cutting-off machines 12 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 is the maximum gap between the wheel and the tongue guard?
One-fourth inch.
Why must the guard be adjustable?
Because the wheel diameter keeps getting smaller as it wears, and the guard must follow it to keep the opening small.
Which grinders does this apply to?
Bench and floor stand grinders and cylindrical grinders where the operator stands in front of the guard opening.
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.