1910.243(c)(3): Guards on Vertical Portable Grinders
Safety guards on right angle head or vertical portable grinders must have a maximum exposure angle of 180 degrees and be positioned between the operator and the wheel during use. The guard must be adjusted so pieces of a broken wheel are deflected away from the operator.
Key takeaways
- 1910.243(c)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 168 times in the last 3 years, in 168 inspections, with $412,013 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (21), NV (16), OR (10).
- 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)(3) ("Vertical portable grinders") is one requirement inside 1910.243 Guarding of portable powered tools, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart P). 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
(3) Vertical portable grinders. Safety guards used on machines known as right angle head or vertical portable grinders shall have a maximum exposure angle of 180°, and the guard shall be so located so as to be between the operator and the wheel during use. Adjustment of guard shall be such that pieces of an accidentally broken wheel will be deflected away from the operator. (See Figure P-4.) 168 citations
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)(3).
At 11:00 a.m. on August 2, 2024, Employee #1, a stone countertop installer, was cutting small holes in a quartz slab using a Makita Angle Grinder Model 9564CV, Serial Number 620119A. The grinder, which did not have a guard installed, uses abrasive cut-off wheels that…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 60 |
| 2025 | 64 |
| 2026 | 32 |
Top states: TN (21), NV (16), OR (10), NY (8), TX (8)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALASKA DOT&PF | COLD BAY, AK | $45,513 |
| ATL GRANITE INSTALLERS & FABRICATORS LLC | CARTERSVILLE, GA | $12,000 |
| KENOSHA BEEF INTERNATIONAL, LTD. | COLUMBUS, OH | $11,292 |
| YODER SMOKERS, INC. | HUTCHINSON, KS | $10,641 |
| QUECHAN CASINO RESORT | WINTERHAVEN, CA | $9,678 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.243(c)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.243(c)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.243(c) Portable abrasive wheels 371 citations
- 1910.243(c)(1) General requirements 163 citations
- 1910.243(c)(4) Other portable grinders 33 citations
- 1910.243(c)(1)(ii) Exception 17 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum exposure angle for these guards?
180 degrees.
Where must the guard be placed?
Between the operator and the wheel during use.
How must the guard be adjusted?
So that pieces of an accidentally broken wheel will be deflected away from the operator.
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.