Portable Tools

Part 1910 Subpart P - Hand and Portable

Powered Tools and
Other Hand-Held Equipment

1910.241 - Definitions.

1910.242 - Hand and portable powered tools and

equipment, general.

1910.243 - Guarding of portable powered tools.

1910.244 - Other portable tools and equipment.

1910.242(a) General requirements. Employer is responsible for

the safe condition of tools and equipment used by employees
including those which may be furnished by employees.

1910.242(b)
Compressed air
used for cleaning.

Compressed air shall not

be used for cleaning
purposes except where
reduced to less than 30
p.s.i.

1910.243(a) Guarding of portable

powered tools
(1) Portable circular
saws. Must be
equipped with guards
above and below the
base plate or shoe.
The lower guard
shall cover the saw to
the depth of the teeth.

Tools must be guarded

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1910.243 Switches and controls.

(a)(2)(i) All handheld powered
circular saws must
be equipped with a
constant pressure
switch or control
that will shut off the
power when the
pressure is
released.
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1910.243 Switches and controls

(a)(2)(i)All hand-held gasoline powered chain saws
shall be equipped with a constant pressure throttle
control that will shut off the power to the saw chain
when the pressure is released.

1910.243(a)(3) Portable belt sanding machines.

Belt sanding machines shall be provided with guards at
each nip point where the sanding belt runs onto a pulley.

Nip Point
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1910.243(a)(5) Grounding
Portable electric powered tools shall meet the
electrical requirements of subpart S of this part.

1910.243(b)(1) Tool retainer.

A tool retainer shall be installed on each piece of
utilization equipment which, without such a retainer,
may eject the tool.

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LETTER OF INTERPRETAION
Pneumatically operated staplers are required to comply with the specific
provisions of 29 CFR 1920.243(b)(1) and (2) under Guarding of Portable Powered
Tools. However, where a point of operation hazard exists, Section 29 CFR
1910.212 covering point of operation guards would apply to safety devices for
pneumatically operated tools at less than 100 p.s.i. in general industry.
Any other hazards not specifically covered in the standards which are associated
with pneumatically driven staplers or similar equipment provided with automatic
fastener feed, used in general industry may be cited under Section 5(a)(1) of the
Act. An example would be not having a safety device on the muzzle to prevent the
tool from ejecting fasteners, unless the muzzle is in contact with the work surface.
Each case must be evaluated on an individual basis. Alteration or misapplication
of an otherwise safe piece of equipment could easily create a hazardous condition
beyond the control of the manufacturer.
The Construction Standards, specifically 29 CFR 1926.302(b) must be observed by
employers using pneumatic staplers at construction job sites.
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1926.302(b)(1) Securing hoses

Pneumatic power tools shall be secured to the hose
or whip by some positive means to prevent the tool
from becoming accidentally disconnected.

Wire used to secure hose

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1910.243(b)(2) Airhose.
Hose and hose connections used for conducting
compressed air to utilization equipment shall be designed
for the pressure and service to which they are subjected.

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1910.243(c) Portable
abrasive wheels

(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.

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1910.243(c)(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 deg.

180 deg
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1910.243(c)(5)(i) Ring test

Immediately before mounting, all wheels shall be closely
inspected and sounded by the user (ring test, see
Subpart O, 1910.215(d)(1))

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1910.243(c)(5)(i)
The spindle speed of the machine shall be checked before
mounting of the wheel to be certain that it does not exceed
the maximum operating speed marked on the wheel.

Max RPM

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1910.243(d) Explosive actuated fastening tools

(d)(1)(i) Explosive-actuated fastening tools shall meet the design
requirements in "American National Standard Safety Requirements for
Explosive-Actuated Fastening Tools," ANSI A10.3-1970, which is
incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6.

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1910.243(d)(2)(i)(c) Design of tool

(d)(2)(i)(d)(1) Firing mechanism
(d)(2)(i)(a) The muzzle end of the tool shall have a protective
shield or guard at least 3 1/2 inches in diameter

Cut-Away View

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Specific charges specific fasteners

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1910.243(d)(3)(iv) Fasteners
specifically manufactured for use in such tools.

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Nail was designed for concrete not wood

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FATAL FACT
Employee killed when struck in head by a nail fired
from a powder actuated tool. Tool operator was
attempting to anchor a plywood form in preparation
for pouring a concrete wall.

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FATAL FACT
Employees performing remodeling operations building a wall.
Operator was attempting to anchor plywood to a 2x 4 stud.
The nail penetrated the stud and struck the victim. One worker
killed when struck by a nail from a powder-actuated tool.

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1910.243(e)
Power lawnmowers

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MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:

REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS
JOHN B. MILES, JR., DIRECTOR
DIRECTORATE OF FIELD OPERATIONS

SUBJECT:

Misapplication of Power Lawnmower Standard

29 CFR 1910.243(e).

It has been brought to our attention that in some instances the OSHA
standard for consumer type power lawnmowers at 1910.243(e) have been
cited by field staff when inspecting commercial lawnmowers.
The OSHA standard at 1910.243(e) derived from ANSI B71.1-1968 pertains
only to consumer type lawnmowers used by employees. Commercial type
lawnmowers are covered under 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1) and (a)(3)(ii).
When inspecting commercial type lawnmowers under 1910.212, industry
consensus standards should be used to verify hazards, industry
knowledge, and appropriate abatement. Whenever an employee hazardous
exposure is identified relative to a commercial type lawnmower, ANSI
B71.4-1984, Safety Specifications for Commercial, Turf Care equipment
should be referred to.
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1910.243(e)(1)(i) Power lawnmowers of the

walk-behind, riding-rotary, and reel power lawnmowers
designed for sale to the general public shall meet the design
specifications in "American National Standard Safety
Specifications for Power Lawnmowers" ANSI B71.1-X1968,
which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec.
1910.6.

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1910.243(e)(1)(ii) All power-driven chains,

belts, and gears shall be so positioned or otherwise guarded to
prevent the operator's accidental contact therewith, during normal
starting, mounting, and operation of the machine.

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POWER LAWNMOWERS
1910.243(e)(1)(iii) A
shutoff device shall be
provided to stop operation
of the motor or engine.
1910.243(e)(1)(iv)All
positions of the operating
controls shall be clearly
identified.
1910.243(e)(1)(v) The
words, "Caution. Be
sure the operating
control(s) is in neutral
before starting the
engine,"

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1910.244 Other portable tools

and equipment.
1910.244(a)Jacks
(a)(1) Loading and
marking.
(a)(2) Operation and
maintenance.

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