1910.217(b)(4)(i): Protecting Power Press Foot Pedals
Employers must protect the pedal mechanism on mechanical power presses so the press cannot be started by accident from falling or moving objects or by someone accidentally stepping on the pedal.
Key takeaways
- 1910.217(b)(4)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 30 times in the last 3 years, in 30 inspections, with $76,624 in current penalties.
- Most citations: OR (3), PA (3), CT (2).
- Related part: 1910.217(b) Mechanical power press guarding and construction, general (93 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.217(b)(4)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.217 Mechanical power presses, 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
(i) The pedal mechanism shall be protected to prevent unintended operation from falling or moving objects or by accidental stepping onto the pedal. 30 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.217.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: OR (3), PA (3), CT (2), LA (2), MS (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JUNE JACOBS LABS, LLC. | MOONACHIE, NJ | $8,935 |
| JOB CONNECTION SERVICES, INC. | MOONACHIE, NJ | $7,530 |
| COLUMBIA INDUSTRIES INC | BERWICK, PA | $7,000 |
| INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SIGNS | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $5,646 |
| OSHKOSH COIL SPRING, INC. | OSHKOSH, WI | $5,186 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.217(b)(4)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.217(b)(4)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.217(b) Mechanical power press guarding and construction, general 93 citations
- 1910.217(b)(4) Foot pedals (treadle) 39 citations
- 1910.217(b)(7) Machines using part revolution clutches 29 citations
- 1910.217(b)(7)(iii) 14 citations
- 1910.217(b)(7)(v) 10 citations
- 1910.217(b)(3) Machines using full revolution positive clutches 4 citations
- 1910.217(b)(13) Control reliability 3 citations
- 1910.217(b)(3)(ii) 1 citations
- 1910.217(b)(1) Hazards to personnel associated with broken or falling machine components 1 citations
- 1910.217(b)(4)(iii)
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
Why must a press pedal be protected?
To prevent unintended operation from falling or moving objects or from accidental stepping onto the pedal.
What machines does this cover?
Mechanical power presses with pedal mechanisms under 1910.217.
Is a bare foot pedal acceptable?
No. The pedal mechanism must be protected against unintended operation.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.217 (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.