Machine Guarding

What are the hazards associated with machine guarding?

Lack of machine guarding can result in serious physical injury (e.g., broken bones and amputation of fingers), and even death, to employees.

What can I do to protect myself?

Never reach into the pinch points of a moving belt, chain or gears to retrieve an item. Be sure to follow lockout/tagout procedures when it becomes necessary to clear a jam or to remove machine guards to perform repair or maintenance. Be sure not to wear loose clothing when working in close proximity to moving machinery parts.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Training and Outreach Services

The presentations on machinery and machine guarding, struck by/caught between, respiratory protection, personal protective equipment, and lockout/tagout can be used to assist employers in training their employees about machine guarding and related hazards. The presentations should be customized to suit the workplace hazards and conditions. These pre-recorded webinars on machinery and machine guarding and lockout/tagout can also be accessed at any time.

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Programs

The following example programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions: respiratory protection program, lockout/tagout program and hearing conservation program.  

An example PPE hazard assessment is also available for customization to fit workplace conditions. Employers are required to perform a workplace hazard analysis to determine what personal protective equipment is necessary to protect employees from continued exposure to identified hazards. 

A-Z Safety and Health Topics

Additional related resource information can be found on the A-Z topics pages for amputations, PPE, lockout/tagout, noise, medical services and first aid, abrasive wheels and respiratory protection and hand and portable powered tools. 

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards for machine guarding in North Carolina. Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic. 

General Industry

29 CFR 1910 Subpart O - machinery and machine guarding

• 29 CFR 1910.212 - general requirements
• 29 CFR 1910.213 - woodworking machinery requirements
• 29 CFR 1910.215 - abrasive wheel machinery
• 29 CFR 1910.216 - mills and calendars in the rubber and plastics industries
• 29 CFR 1910.217 - mechanical power presses
• 29 CFR 1910.218 - forging machines
• 29 CFR 1910.219 - mechanical power-transmission apparatus

Maritime, Shipyard Employment

29 CFR 1915 Subpart H - tools and related equipment

• 29 CFR 1915.131 - general precautions
• 29 CFR 1915.132 - portable electric tools
• 29 CFR 1915.133 - hand tools
• 29 CFR 1915.134 - abrasive wheels
• 29 CFR 1915.135 - powder actuated fastening tools
• 29 CFR 1915.136 - internal combustion engines, other than ship's equipment

29 CFR 1915 Subpart J - ship's machinery and piping systems

• 29 CFR 1915.161 - scope and application of subpart
• 29 CFR 1915.162 - ship's boilers
• 29 CFR 1915.163 - ship's piping systems
• 29 CFR 1915.164 - ship's propulsion machinery
• 29 CFR 1915.165 - ship's deck machinery

29 CFR 1915 Subpart L - electrical machinery

• 29 CFR 1915.181 - electrical circuits and distribution boards

Maritime, Marine Terminals

29 CFR 1917 Subpart G - related terminal operations and equipment

• 29 CFR 1917.151 - machine guarding

Construction

29 CFR 1926 Subpart I - tools, hand and power

• 29 CFR 1926.300 - general requirements
• 29 CFR 1926.301 - hand tools
• 29 CFR 1926.302 - power-operated hand tools
• 29 CFR 1926.303 - abrasive wheels and tools
• 29 CFR 1926.304 - woodworking tools
• 29 CFR 1926.305 - jacks - lever and ratchet, screw and hydraulic
• 29 CFR 1926.306 - air receivers
• 29 CFR 1926.307 - mechanical power-transmission apparatus

Agriculture

29 CFR 1928 Subpart D - safety for agricultural equipment

• 29 CFR 1928.57 - guarding of farm field equipment

Other general industry standards that may be applicable include:

• 29 CFR 1910.95 - occupational noise exposure
• 29 CFR 1910.132 - general requirements, PPE
• 29 CFR 1910.133 - eye and face protection
• 29 CFR 1910.134 - respiratory protection
• 29 CFR 1910.136 - foot protection
• 29 CFR 1910.138 - hand protection
• 29 CFR 1910.147 - the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more about this topic?

Compliance Documents

• Operational Procedure Notice: OPN 149 - Special Emphasis Program for Amputations establishes the OSH Division's enforcement policy for safety and health inspections where employees may be exposed to amputation hazards on machinery due to lack of guarding and/or failure to utilize energy control procedures.
• Standards Notice: SN 01 - Textile Machinery discusses an alternative measure that may be used that will be construed as meeting 29 CFR 1910.262(j) in lieu of the requirement for interlocks on the gear housing covers on all installations of drawing frames, slubbers, roving frames, cotton combers, rind spinning frames, and twisters.
• Standards Notice: SN 07 - Laundry Machinery and Operations clarifies the applicable standards to cite for point of operation guarding of laundry machinery and dry-cleaning machinery.
• Standards Notice: SN 26 - Guarding of the Sides of Carding Machines Used in the Textile Industry, provides an explanation of the standards as they pertain to this specific application to ensure uniform enforcement.
• Standards Notice: SN 28 - Drying Tumblers, Shakers and Washing Machines Interlocking Devices states the requirement for an interlock device, braking mechanism or time delay to protect employees from possible injury in situations when the cylinder of a tumbler, shaker or washing machine continues to rotate after the power is shut off.
• Standards Notice: SN 56 - Heavy and Light Duty Pneumatic Staplers discusses the requirements and standards applicable to the use of light-duty and heavy-duty pneumatic staplers.

Industry Guides

• Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to machine guarding in construction.
• Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to machine guarding in general industry.
• Industry Guide 50 - OSHA Agricultural Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to machine guarding in agriculture.
• Industry Guide 53 - OSHA Shipyard Employment Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training highlights the requirements of standards related to machine guarding in shipyard employment.
• Industry Guide 54 - OSHA Marine Terminal Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training provides requirements for standards related to machine guarding at marine terminals.

Technical Assistance

Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH through the online form, by email to ask.osh@labor.nc.gov, or by phone at 919-707-7876.