1910.212(a)(3)(iii): Hand Tools for Feeding Machines
Special hand tools for placing and removing material must let operators handle material easily without putting a hand in the danger zone. These tools cannot replace required machine guarding; they may only supplement it.
Key takeaways
- 1910.212(a)(3)(iii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 121 times in the last 3 years, in 121 inspections, with $1,021,096 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (17), VA (14), MO (11).
- 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)(iii) 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
(iii) Special handtools for placing and removing material shall be such as to permit easy handling of material without the operator placing a hand in the danger zone. Such tools shall not be in lieu of other guarding required by this section, but can only be used to supplement protection provided. 121 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.212.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.212(a)(3)(iii).
At 9:15 a.m. on February 14, 2025, employees were moving a cut metal coil onto aturnstile arm from the main cutting and slitting spooling arm. The inner taper of the coil became caught on the lip of the turnstile arm and began to unwind. To…
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 | 15 |
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2025 | 40 |
| 2026 | 26 |
Top states: TX (17), VA (14), MO (11), WI (6), FL (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PROGRESO LMMM SAN ANTONIO #10, LLC | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $82,750 |
| H-E-B, LP | PORTLAND, TX | $72,820 |
| ACCURATE ENERGETIC SYSTEMS, LLC | MC EWEN, TN | $54,000 |
| LMMM HUNTSVILLE #1, LTD. | HUNTSVILLE, TX | $18,000 |
| HEARTHSIDE USA - CPG PARTNERS, LLC | ITASCA, IL | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.212(a)(3)(iii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
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)(3)(ii) 1,645 citations
- 1910.212(a)(2) General requirements for machine guards 219 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a push stick replace a machine guard?
No. Special hand tools shall not be in lieu of other required guarding; they can only supplement it.
What must special hand tools allow?
Easy handling of material without the operator placing a hand in the danger zone.
What are these tools used for?
Placing and removing material at the machine.
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.