1910.243(c)(4): Guards for Other Portable Grinders
Employers must make sure safety guards on other portable grinding machines do not expose more than 180 degrees of the wheel's periphery and sides, and the top half of the wheel is enclosed at all times.
Key takeaways
- 1910.243(c)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 33 times in the last 3 years, in 33 inspections, with $58,343 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NV (6), TN (6), TX (3).
- 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)(4) ("Other 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
(4) Other portable grinders. The maximum angular exposure of the grinding wheel periphery and sides for safety guards used on other portable grinding machines shall not exceed 180° and the top half of the wheel shall be enclosed at all times. (See Figures P-5 and P-6.) 33 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.243.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 14 |
Top states: NV (6), TN (6), TX (3), VA (2), OR (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PEPPERMILL CASINOS, INC. | SPARKS, NV | $9,457 |
| SCHULTE HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC. | RENO, NV | $6,383 |
| ALASKA DOT&PF | HAINES, AK | $5,762 |
| LANDMARK CONSOLIDATED | FORT IRWIN, CA | $5,227 |
| ECORE INTERNATIONAL INC. | MEXIA, TX | $5,200 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.243(c)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.243(c)(4).
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)(1) General requirements 163 citations
- 1910.243(c)(1)(ii) Exception 17 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
How much of the wheel can be exposed?
The maximum angular exposure of the periphery and sides must not exceed 180 degrees.
Must the top of the wheel be covered?
Yes. The top half of the wheel must be enclosed at all times.
Which grinders does this cover?
Other portable grinding machines covered by 1910.243(c)(4).
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.