1910.243(c)(1): Safety Guards on Abrasive Wheel Machines
Abrasive wheels may be used only on machines with safety guards, except wheels used for internal work within the work being ground, mounted wheels 2 inches and smaller in portable operations, and certain cones, plugs and pot balls where the work protects the operator. Guards must cover the spindle end, nut and flange projections, stay aligned with the wheel, and have fastenings stronger than the guard, with limited exceptions.
Key takeaways
- 1910.243(c)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 163 times in the last 3 years, in 163 inspections, with $410,201 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MN (21), FL (16), NC (13).
- Related part: 1910.243(c) Portable abrasive wheels (371 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1) ("General requirements") 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) General requirements. Abrasive wheels shall be used only on machine provided with safety guards as defined in paragraph (c) (1) through (4) of this section. 163 citations
(i) Exceptions. The requirements of this paragraph (c)(1) shall not apply to the following classes of wheels and conditions.
(a) Wheels used for internal work while within the work being ground;
(b) Mounted wheels used in portable operations 2 inches and smaller in diameter; (see definition § 1910.241(b)(1)); and
(c) Types 16, 17, 18, 18R, and 19 cones, and plugs, and threaded hole pot balls where the work offers protection.
(ii) Open (c)(1)(ii) 17 citations
(a) A safety guard shall cover the spindle end, nut and flange projections. The safety guard shall be mounted so as to maintain proper alignment with the wheel, and the strength of the fastenings shall exceed the strength of the guard.
(b) Exception. Safety guards on all operations where the work provides a suitable measure of protection to the operator may be so constructed that the spindle end, nut and outer flange are exposed. Where the nature of the work is such as to entirely cover the side of the wheel, the side covers of the guard may be omitted.
(c) Exception. The spindle end, nut, and outer flange may be exposed on portable machines designed for, and used with, type 6, 11, 27, and 28 abrasive wheels, cutting off wheels, and tuck pointing wheels.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.243.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.243(c)(1).
At 8:34 a.m. on February 20, 2025, Employee #1 and coworkers were closing a steel door mounted on a railing system with track wheels. While manually adjusting the door, one of the track wheels came off the rail, causing the door to jackknife. Three employees…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 58 |
| 2025 | 65 |
| 2026 | 32 |
Top states: MN (21), FL (16), NC (13), OR (10), VA (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VTCU, CORP. | POCATELLO, ID | $16,550 |
| SEMINOLE MASONRY, LLC | SANFORD, FL | $13,902 |
| IMPERIAL GROUP MANUFACTURING, INC. | DUBLIN, VA | $10,276 |
| EMI INDUSTRIES, LLC | CRANSTON, RI | $8,766 |
| AFC INDUSTRIES INC | BERWICK, PA | $8,700 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.243(c)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.243(c)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.243(c) Portable abrasive wheels 371 citations
- 1910.243(c)(3) Vertical portable grinders 168 citations
- 1910.243(c)(4) Other portable grinders 33 citations
- 1910.243(c)(1)(ii) Exception 17 citations
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Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
Can an abrasive wheel be used without a guard?
Only in the listed exceptions, such as internal work within the work being ground, mounted wheels 2 inches and smaller in portable operations, and certain cones, plugs and pot balls where the work offers protection.
What must the guard cover?
The spindle end, nut and flange projections, except where the rule allows them to be exposed.
How strong must the guard fastenings be?
The strength of the fastenings shall exceed the strength of the guard.
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 2026-10-20
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.