1926.303 Grinders and Abrasive Wheels: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Grinding machines and abrasive wheel tools used in construction must have guards that meet the ANSI B7.1 consensus standard and enough power to maintain safe spindle speed. Guards must cover the spindle end, nut, and flange projections, and the angular exposure of the wheel generally may not exceed 180 degrees. Wheels must be inspected and ring-tested before mounting, and bench or floor grinders need properly adjusted work rests.
What the standard requires
- Equip grinding machines with safety guards meeting ANSI requirements
- Inspect and sound-test abrasive wheels before mounting
- Provide eye protection to employees using abrasive wheels
- Keep work rests on fixed grinders adjusted close to the wheel
Hazards it addresses
- Wheel breakage throwing fragments
- Hand injuries from wheel contact
- Eye injuries from flying particles
Cited in construction trades using angle grinders, cut-off saws, and pedestal grinders, including steel and masonry work.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.303(b)(1) | Grinding machines must be equipped with safety guards conforming to ANSI B7.1. | 25 | 25 | $2,733 |
| 1926.303(b)(2) | Safety guards must cover the spindle end, nut, and flange projections and be mounted to maintain alignment with the wheel, with limited exceptions. | 1 | 1 | $2,837 |
| 1926.303(c)(3) | 1 | 1 | $2,412 |
Penalties
Across 27 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $104,623 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $85,287, 18% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 89%; Other-than-serious 7%; Repeat 4%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 5 | 5 | $7,385 | $5,733 |
| South Carolina | 4 | 4 | $4,725 | $3,675 |
| Texas | 3 | 3 | $11,711 | $7,877 |
| Florida | 2 | 2 | $10,074 | $10,074 |
| New York | 2 | 2 | $11,823 | $6,207 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 2 | $5,249 | $4,112 |
| Alaska | 1 | 1 | $2,733 | $2,733 |
| Guam | 1 | 1 | $1,809 | $1,085 |
| Hawaii | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,300 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | $3,376 | $3,376 |
| New Mexico | 1 | 1 | $5,355 | $3,748 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | $5,627 | $3,939 |
| West Virginia | 1 | 1 | $12,059 | $11,000 |
By industry
- Construction: 23 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 1 inspections
- Manufacturing: 1 inspections
- Professional & technical services: 1 inspections
- Public administration: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Abingdon | Abingdon, VA | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final order | osha.gov |
| F&W Construction Company, Inc. | Anchorage, AK | Aug 26, 2026 | 1 | $2,733 | $2,733 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Performance Building Company Inc. | Jamaica Plain, MA | Aug 4, 2026 | 1 | $3,376 | $3,376 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Triun Construction and Engineering | Fort Stockton, TX | Jul 23, 2026 | 1 | $930 | $500 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Cd'herse Construction LLC | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jul 10, 2026 | 1 | $2,838 | $2,838 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Pittsburgh, PA | Jul 6, 2026 | 1 | $2,837 | $1,700 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jul 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Paramount Builders, Limited | Pago Pago, AS | Jun 3, 2026 | 1 | $20,427 | $20,427 | Final order | osha.gov |
| JP Outdoor LLC | Hampton, VA | Jun 2, 2026 | 1 | $2,065 | $1,032 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Weil Construction, Inc. | Des Moines, NM | May 26, 2026 | 1 | $5,355 | $3,748 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jun 19, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jesse Jones Construction | Chippewa Falls, WI | May 22, 2026 | 1 | $5,627 | $3,939 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Titusville, PA | May 21, 2026 | 1 | $2,412 | $2,412 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| A.G. Contractors Corp. | Sunny Isles Beach, FL | May 15, 2026 | 1 | $7,236 | $7,236 | ContestedAbatement due Jun 11, 2026Contested Jun 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Briga Landscaping & Design | White Plains, NY | May 5, 2026 | 1 | $3,547 | $3,547 | Final orderAbatement due May 28, 2026 | osha.gov |
| RGM Services | Abingdon, VA | May 1, 2026 | 1 | $3,255 | $3,255 | Final order | osha.gov |
| Hernandez Custom Homes LLC | Bluffton, SC | Apr 1, 2026 | 1 | $625 | $625 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| H2 Contracting LLC | Tega Cay, SC | Mar 31, 2026 | 1 | $500 | $500 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ayres Stucco Inc. | Bluffton, SC | Mar 31, 2026 | 1 | $600 | $600 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| CQL Construction | Tamuning, GU | Mar 23, 2026 | 1 | $1,809 | $1,085 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| MJZ Services LLC | Albany, NY | Mar 20, 2026 | 1 | $8,276 | $2,660 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| A - a Fire and Life Safety Group | Mount Pleasant, SC | Feb 4, 2026 | 1 | $3,000 | $1,950 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| A.W. Masonry & Restoration, Inc. | Richmond, VA | Feb 4, 2026 | 1 | $1,375 | $962 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 3, 2026Contested Feb 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | La Marque, TX | Jan 22, 2026 | 1 | $2,270 | $2,270 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| CFR Operating, LLC | San Antonio, TX | Dec 29, 2025 | 1 | $8,511 | $5,107 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jan 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Sagewater LLC | Honolulu, HI | Dec 16, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Arrowhead Brick Pavers Inc. | Clarendon Hills, IL | Dec 12, 2025 | 1 | $2,270 | $1,300 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Triton Construction, Inc. | Clendenin, WV | Dec 1, 2025 | 1 | $12,059 | $11,000 | Informal settlementAbatement due Dec 9, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Harnden Group, LLC | Bristol, VA | Nov 25, 2025 | 1 | $690 | $483 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.451 Scaffold Safety (6 shared inspections)
- 1926.1153 Silica in Construction (5 shared inspections)
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (5 shared inspections)
- 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection (4 shared inspections)
- 1926.405 Temporary Wiring and Cords (4 shared inspections)
- 1926.404 GFCI and Grounding (4 shared inspections)
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (4 shared inspections)
- 1926.403 Electrical Equipment Installation (3 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.303 require?
Grinding machines and abrasive wheel tools used in construction must have guards that meet the ANSI B7.1 consensus standard and enough power to maintain safe spindle speed. Guards must cover the spindle end, nut, and flange projections, and the angular exposure of the wheel generally may not exceed 180 degrees. Wheels must be inspected and ring-tested before mounting, and bench or floor grinders need properly adjusted work rests.
How often was 1926.303 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.303 (Grinders and Abrasive Wheels) appeared in 27 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 27 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.303 is cited most?
1926.303(b)(1) was the most-cited paragraph, with 25 items: Grinding machines must be equipped with safety guards conforming to ANSI B7.1.
Which states cite 1926.303 most often?
The most citations under 1926.303 in this period were issued in Virginia, South Carolina, Texas.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.303 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $2,733; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $2,270. Totals: $104,623 proposed, $85,287 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.303 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 7% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.