Machine Guarding Standards Every Plant Needs to Know (1910.212)

Machine Guarding Standards Every Plant Needs to Know (1910.212)

Quick answer: OSHA's general machine-guarding standard (29 CFR 1910.212) requires that one or more methods of guarding protect operators and others from hazards such as the point of operation, rotating parts, and flying chips or sparks. Guards must be affixed to the machine where possible, must not create new hazards, and must not be removed or bypassed. Machine guarding is consistently in OSHA's Top 10 most cited violations.

The Three Hazard Areas to Guard

• Point of operation — where the machine cuts, shapes, or forms the material; the most dangerous zone.
• Power transmission — belts, pulleys, gears, shafts, flywheels, and couplings.
• Other moving parts — reciprocating, rotating, or transverse parts, plus flying chips and sparks.

Types of Machine Guards

The standard lets the employer choose the method that best fits the machine and the work, as long as it provides effective protection. Where guards aren't feasible for a task, devices such as two-hand controls, presence-sensing systems, or special hand-feeding tools may be used — but feeding tools supplement guards, they don't replace them.

General Requirements

• Guards must be affixed to the machine where possible, and secured elsewhere if not.
• A guard must not itself create a hazard (pinch point, sharp edge, or entanglement risk).
• Guards must not be removed, defeated, or bypassed during operation.
• Fixed machinery may need to be anchored to prevent walking or moving.

Inspection, Maintenance, and Training

Guards must stay in place and in good condition. Inspect them as part of routine checks, repair or replace damaged guards immediately, and train operators on what each guard protects against and the strict rule against removing or bypassing them. Tie guard removal to your lockout/tagout procedures whenever servicing requires it.

Common Citations

• Unguarded point of operation on presses, saws, and grinders.
• Missing guards on belts, pulleys, and rotating shafts.
• Guards removed for convenience and never reinstalled.
• Bench/pedestal grinders missing tongue guards or work rests at the correct gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which machines need guarding?

Any machine that can expose an employee to injury at the point of operation, power transmission components, or other moving parts. When in doubt, guard it.

Who decides what type of guard to use?

The employer chooses the guarding method, as long as it effectively protects workers and doesn't create a new hazard.