1910.213(p): Guards for Sanding Machines
Employers must guard sanding machines: feed rolls of self-feed sanders need a firmly secured semicylindrical guard of heavy material, drum and disk sanders need an exhaust hood or other guard enclosing the revolving drum or disk except the part needed for work above the table, and belt sanders need guards at each nip point where the belt runs onto a pulley plus a guard on the unused run of the belt.
Key takeaways
- 1910.213(p) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 27 times in the last 3 years, in 27 inspections, with $65,809 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NV (6), MN (4), NC (4).
- Related part: 1910.213(p)(4) (26 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.213(p) ("Sanding machines") is one requirement inside 1910.213 Woodworking machinery requirements, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). It includes 4 sub-paragraphs. 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
(p) Sanding machines. 27 citations
(1) Feed rolls of self-feed sanding machines shall be protected with a semicylindrical guard to prevent the hands of the operator from coming in contact with the in-running rolls at any point. The guard shall be constructed of heavy material, preferably metal, and firmly secured to the frame carrying the rolls so as to remain in adjustment for any thickness of stock. The bottom of the guard should come down to within three-eighths inch of a plane formed by the bottom or contact face of the feed roll where it touches the stock.
(2) Each drum sanding machine shall have an exhaust hood, or other guard if no exhaust system is required, so arranged as to enclose the revolving drum, except for that portion of the drum above the table, if a table is used, which may be necessary and convenient for the application of the material to be finished. 1 citations
(3) Each disk sanding machine shall have the exhaust hood, or other guard if no exhaust system is required, so arranged as to enclose the revolving disk, except for that portion of the disk above the table, if a table is used, which may be necessary for the application of the material to be finished.
(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. Open (p)(4) 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 | 8 |
| 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 |
| RICHARDSON SEATING CORPORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $6,500 |
| BOWTIE HOSPITALITY LV LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $6,029 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.213(p), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.213(p).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.213(p)(4) 26 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What guard is required on self-feed sander feed rolls?
A semicylindrical guard of heavy material, firmly secured, that keeps the operator's hands from the in-running rolls.
Where must belt sanders be guarded?
At each nip point where the sanding belt runs onto a pulley, and on the unused run of the belt.
Can part of a drum or disk be left open?
Only the portion above the table that may be necessary for applying the material to be finished.
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.