1910.217(b)(7)(v): Two-Hand Controls for Single-Stroke Presses
Employers using two-hand controls for single-stroke mechanical power presses must make sure each hand control is protected against accidental operation and both hands are needed at the same time to trip the press. The system must allow adjustment to require both hands during die closing, must have an antirepeat feature, and, for controls made and installed on or after August 31, 1971, must require release of all hand controls before an interrupted stroke can resume.
Key takeaways
- 1910.217(b)(7)(v) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 9 inspections, with $19,471 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PA (2), IN (2), OH (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)(7)(v) 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
(v) Two-hand controls for single stroke shall conform to the following requirements: 10 citations
(a) Each hand control shall be protected against unintended operation and arranged by design, construction, and/or separation so that the concurrent use of both hands is required to trip the press.
(b) The control system shall be designed to permit an adjustment which will require concurrent pressure from both hands during the die closing portion of the stroke.
(c) The control system shall incorporate an antirepeat feature.
(d) The control systems shall be designed to require release of all operators' hand controls before an interrupted stroke can be resumed. This requirement pertains only to those single-stroke, two-hand controls manufactured and installed on or after August 31, 1971.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.217.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: PA (2), IN (2), OH (2), NY (1), WI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALINABAL, LLC | MILFORD, CT | $9,000 |
| PARKWAY METAL PRODUCTS, INC. | DES PLAINES, IL | $6,500 |
| P&G STEEL PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC. | CHEEKTOWAGA, NY | $3,371 |
| CCT ENTERPRISES INC | AUBURN, IN | $600 |
| PSS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. | DENVER, PA | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.217(b)(7)(v), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.217(b)(7)(v).
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)(4)(i) 30 citations
- 1910.217(b)(7) Machines using part revolution clutches 29 citations
- 1910.217(b)(7)(iii) 14 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 do two-hand controls need both hands at once?
The rule requires concurrent use of both hands to trip the press, which keeps the operator's hands out of the point of operation.
What is an antirepeat feature?
It is a feature of the control system that the rule requires, so the press does not make another stroke on its own.
Do all two-hand controls have to require release before an interrupted stroke resumes?
That requirement applies to single-stroke, two-hand controls manufactured and installed on or after August 31, 1971.
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.