1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Guarding the point of operation
Where a machine's operation can injure an employee, its point of operation must be guarded. The guard must meet any applicable specific standard, or if there is none, be designed and built so the operator cannot have any part of the body in the danger zone during the operating cycle.
Key takeaways
- 1910.212(a)(3)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 1,645 times in the last 3 years, in 1,641 inspections, with $10,069,570 in current penalties.
- 11 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (131), NJ (111), WI (101).
- Related part: 1910.212(a) Machine guarding (6,817 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.212 General requirements for all machines, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(ii) The point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded. The guarding device shall be in conformity with any appropriate standards therefor, or, in the absence of applicable specific standards, shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of his body in the danger zone during the operating cycle. 1,645 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.212.
Injuries linked to this rule
11 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.212(a)(3)(ii).
An employee was fabricating a part for an agricultural wagon using a drill presswhen it fell onto his head, causing multiple fatal injuries to the employee.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 107 |
| 2024 | 618 |
| 2025 | 548 |
| 2026 | 372 |
Top states: TX (131), NJ (111), WI (101), TN (97), IN (96)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ATLAS TUBE (ALABAMA), INC. | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $161,323 |
| HENRY COMPANY LLC | FERNLEY, NV | $112,917 |
| PROGRESO LMMM LUFKIN, LLC | LUFKIN, TX | $107,640 |
| LMMM HOUSTON #80, LTD. | NEW CANEY, TX | $107,584 |
| CONN-SELMER, INC. | EASTLAKE, OH | $86,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.212(a)(3)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Lock out/Tag out (LOTO) requirements for die-setting operations in hydraulic power presses. (2005-04-22)
- Use of Electro Sensitive Protection Equipment as point of operation guarding devices. (2001-06-05)
- OSHA enforcement policy on vertical food mixers. (1999-02-26)
- Standard 1910.212 in regards to its applicability to guard an area above the ram/piston on a vertical hydraulic downstroke/trash compactor. (1994-09-20)
- Presence Sensing Palm Button Devices (PSPBD). (1992-08-05)
- Clarification of Scope of OSHA Instruction STD 1-12.22 (1991-04-15)
- The point of operation and rotating part hazards related to vertical food mixers in bakeries and restaurants are covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. (1991-03-19)
- The feasibility of OSHA's machine guarding requirements in their workplace. (1989-08-03)
- Acceptable guarding for continuous cycling boneless meat tenderizers. (1987-11-02)
- The safe use of portable, compressed-air-actuated, fastener driving tools (staple guns) (1986-08-08)
- Power Press Brakes. (1986-04-20)
- Applicability of 1910.212(a)(3)(ii) to Portable Pneumatic Powered Fastener Tools (1985-03-25)
- The manner in which OSHA provides for suitable applications of the ANSI B11.3 specification standard. (1981-05-26)
- Oil Rig Inspection. (1980-12-15)
- Point of operation guarding for cutters on milling machines. (1976-02-18)
- Guarding by location is permitted with certain provisions. (1975-01-07)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.212(a) Machine guarding 6,817 citations
- 1910.212(a)(1) Types of guarding 4,605 citations
- 1910.212(a)(3) Point of operation guarding 1,830 citations
- 1910.212(a)(2) General requirements for machine guards 219 citations
- 1910.212(a)(3)(iii) 121 citations
- 1910.212(a)(5) Exposure of blades 121 citations
- 1910.212(a)(3)(iv) 39 citations
- 1910.212(a)(4) Barrels, containers, and drums 28 citations
- 1910.212(a)(3)(i) 17 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
What if there is no specific standard for my machine's guard?
The guard must be designed and constructed to prevent the operator from having any part of the body in the danger zone during the operating cycle.
When is point-of-operation guarding required?
When the machine's operation exposes an employee to injury.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.212 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.