1910.213(c)(2): Spreaders on Hand-Fed Ripsaws
Employers must furnish each hand-fed circular ripsaw with a spreader to keep material from squeezing the saw or being thrown back at the operator. It must be hard tempered steel or equivalent, thinner than the saw kerf, stiff enough to resist side thrust, and stay aligned with the saw when tilted; it is not required for grooving, dadoing or rabbeting but must be replaced right after.
Key takeaways
- 1910.213(c)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 205 times in the last 3 years, in 205 inspections, with $150,222 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MN (40), CT (20), UT (15).
- Related part: 1910.213(c) Hand-fed ripsaws (799 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.213(c)(2) is one requirement inside 1910.213 Woodworking machinery requirements, 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
(2) Each hand-fed circular ripsaw shall be furnished with a spreader to prevent material from squeezing the saw or being thrown back on the operator. The spreader shall be made of hard tempered steel, or its equivalent, and shall be thinner than the saw kerf. It shall be of sufficient width to provide adequate stiffness or rigidity to resist any reasonable side thrust or blow tending to bend or throw it out of position. The spreader shall be attached so that it will remain in true alignment with the saw even when either the saw or table is tilted. The provision of a spreader in connection with grooving, dadoing, or rabbeting is not required. On the completion of such operations, the spreader shall be immediately replaced. 205 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.213.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.213(c)(2).
At 3:45 a.m. on December 5, 2023, three employees were operating a resaw stacker. Coworker #1 was operating the infeed side, while Coworker #2 trained Employee #1 on operating the stacker side. The resaw stacker takes pre-cut boards and rips them down to smaller sizes…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 94 |
| 2025 | 61 |
| 2026 | 39 |
Top states: MN (40), CT (20), UT (15), FL (14), MD (12)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WOOD-MODE LLC | KREAMER, PA | $13,250 |
| CREATIVE MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC | PEN ARGYL, PA | $11,200 |
| DESERT PALACE LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $10,547 |
| WACHUSETT MOUNTAIN ASSOCIATES, INC. | PRINCETON, MA | $9,675 |
| FIXTURE CONCEPTS INC | SAINT PETERS, MO | $9,268 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.213(c)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.213(c)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.213(c) Hand-fed ripsaws 799 citations
- 1910.213(c)(1) 346 citations
- 1910.213(c)(3) 248 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
Why does a ripsaw need a spreader?
To prevent material from squeezing the saw or being thrown back on the operator.
How thick should the spreader be?
Thinner than the saw kerf.
Can the spreader be removed for dado cuts?
A spreader is not required for grooving, dadoing or rabbeting, but it must be immediately replaced when those operations are done.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.213 (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.