OSHA Machine Guarding Requirements (1910.212)
OSHA's general machine guarding rules under 29 CFR 1910.212 — point-of-operation guards, nip points and rotating parts, fan blade guards, anchoring, and related standards.
5 min read · Updated October 2026
Unguarded machinery causes amputations, crush injuries, and lacerations. OSHA's general requirements for all machines are in 29 CFR 1910.212. More specific standards cover particular equipment, such as power transmission (1910.219), woodworking (1910.213), abrasive wheels (1910.215), and mechanical power presses (1910.217).
What must be guarded
One or more methods of guarding must protect the operator and other employees from hazards such as (1910.212(a)(1)):
- The point of operation, where the machine cuts, shapes, bores, or forms material.
- Ingoing nip points, where parts rotate toward each other or toward a fixed part.
- Rotating parts such as shafts, couplings, and flywheels.
- Flying chips and sparks.
Guard requirements
- Guards should be attached to the machine where possible, or secured elsewhere if that isn't possible. The guard itself must not create a hazard (
1910.212(a)(2)). - The point-of-operation guard must prevent any part of the operator's body from entering the danger zone during the operating cycle (
1910.212(a)(3)(ii)). - Fan blades less than 7 feet above the floor or working level must be guarded, with openings no larger than 1/2 inch (
1910.212(a)(5)). - Machines designed for a fixed location must be securely anchored to prevent walking or moving (
1910.212(b)).
Common findings
- Guards removed for maintenance and never put back.
- Exposed belts, pulleys, and chain drives.
- Bench grinders with the tongue guard more than 1/4 inch from the wheel, or the work rest more than 1/8 inch away (
1910.215). - Pedestal or floor fans with missing or oversized guards.
Machine guarding problems are highly visible, which makes them a good fit for CiteSafe's photo analysis.
Frequently asked questions
What is point-of-operation guarding?
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It is guarding at the area of a machine where work is actually performed on the material, designed to keep any part of the operator's body out of the danger zone during the operating cycle.
Do fan blades need guards?
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Yes, when the periphery of the blades is less than 7 feet above the floor or working level, with guard openings no larger than 1/2 inch.
What are the bench grinder gap requirements?
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Under 29 CFR 1910.215, work rests must be kept within 1/8 inch of the wheel and the tongue guard within 1/4 inch.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and CiteSafe is not affiliated with OSHA. Always check the current text of 29 CFR at ecfr.gov and guidance at osha.gov. State Plan states may have additional or different requirements.