1910.219(c)(4)(ii): Fill or Cover Unused Keyways
Unused keyways on shafting must be filled up or covered.
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(c)(4)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 51 times in the last 3 years, in 51 inspections, with $62,846 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IA (14), WI (7), TX (5).
- Related part: 1910.219(c) Shafting (703 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.219 Mechanical power-transmission apparatus, 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
(ii) Unused keyways shall be filled up or covered. 51 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.219.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 15 |
Top states: IA (14), WI (7), TX (5), NC (5), OR (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $15,875 |
| TWITCHELL TECHNICAL PRODUCTS, LLC | DOTHAN, AL | $8,513 |
| HAILIANG COPPER TEXAS INC. | SEALY, TX | $6,920 |
| AFP ADVANCED FOOD PRODUCTS, LLC. | CLEAR LAKE, WI | $4,525 |
| A. OLIVAREZ HARVESTING LLC | LA PRYOR, TX | $3,872 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(c)(4)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.219(c)(4)(ii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.219(c) Shafting 703 citations
- 1910.219(c)(4) Projecting shaft ends 331 citations
- 1910.219(c)(2) Guarding horizontal shafting 315 citations
- 1910.219(c)(2)(i) 302 citations
- 1910.219(c)(4)(i) 279 citations
- 1910.219(c)(3) Guarding vertical and inclined shafting 57 citations
- 1910.219(c)(5) Power-transmission apparatus located in basements
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
What must be done with an unused keyway?
It must be filled up or covered.
Is covering the keyway enough?
Yes. Unused keyways must be filled up or covered.
Which rule covers this?
1910.219(c)(4)(ii), mechanical power transmission.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.219 (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.