1910.213(p)(4): Guarding Belt Sander Nip Points
Employers must provide guards at each nip point where a sanding belt runs onto a pulley, and the guards must keep the operator's hands and fingers from touching the nip points. The unused run of the sanding belt must also be guarded against accidental contact.
Key takeaways
- 1910.213(p)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 26 times in the last 3 years, in 26 inspections, with $59,309 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NV (6), MN (4), NC (4).
- Related part: 1910.213(p) Sanding machines (27 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.213(p)(4) 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
(4) Belt sanding machines shall be provided with guards at each nip point where the sanding belt runs on to a pulley. These guards shall effectively prevent the hands or fingers of the operator from coming in contact with the nip points. The unused run of the sanding belt shall be guarded against accidental contact. 26 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.213.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: NV (6), MN (4), NC (4), OR (2), ID (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WYNN LAS VEGAS, LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $11,754 |
| YETI COOLERS | AUSTIN, TX | $11,350 |
| SCHWARZ PARTNERS PACKAGING, LLC | LAKELAND, FL | $9,437 |
| BOWTIE HOSPITALITY LV LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $6,029 |
| 3535 LV NEWCO LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $4,163 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.213(p)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.213(p)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.213(p) Sanding machines 27 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Where are guards required on belt sanders?
At each nip point where the sanding belt runs onto a pulley.
What must the guards do?
Effectively prevent the operator's hands or fingers from contacting the nip points.
Does the return side of the belt need a guard?
Yes. The unused run of the sanding belt must be guarded against accidental contact.
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 2026-10-22
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.