1910.219(e)(1): Guarding Horizontal Belts and Ropes
Where both runs of horizontal belts are seven feet or less from the floor, employers must guard them to at least fifteen inches above the belt or to a standard height. Where both runs are 42 inches or less from the floor, the belt must be fully enclosed. In powerplants or power-development rooms, a guardrail may be used instead of the guard.
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(e)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 201 times in the last 3 years, in 201 inspections, with $312,549 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IA (21), MD (14), NC (13).
- Related part: 1910.219(e) Belt, rope, and chain drives (412 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1) ("Horizontal belts and ropes") is one requirement inside 1910.219 Mechanical power-transmission apparatus, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). It includes 2 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
(1) Horizontal belts and ropes. 201 citations
(i) Where both runs of horizontal belts are seven (7) feet or less from the floor level, the guard shall extend to at least fifteen (15) inches above the belt or to a standard height except that where both runs of a horizontal belt are 42 inches or less from the floor, the belt shall be fully enclosed in accordance with paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Open (e)(1)(i) 195 citations
(ii) In powerplants or power-development rooms, a guardrail may be used in lieu of the guard required by subdivision (i) of this subparagraph.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.219.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.219(e)(1).
At 2:30 p.m. on November 12, 2024, Employee #1, employed by a recycling company,was attempting to clear debris below a conveyor belt when the machine unexpectedly activated, causing the employee to be crushed. The employee suffered blunt trauma from the crushing incident and was later…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 81 |
| 2025 | 75 |
| 2026 | 35 |
Top states: IA (21), MD (14), NC (13), KY (13), VA (12)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 68657 - DURO HILEX POLY LLC | FLORENCE, KY | $28,000 |
| MENASHA PACKAGING COMPANY, LLC PHILADELPHIA DISPLAY GROUP | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $16,131 |
| 68226 - WESTERN PACIFIC STORAGE SOLUTIONS INC | PARIS, KY | $14,000 |
| SMX, LLC | SAINT PETERSBURG, FL | $11,585 |
| YOST DRILLING LLC | ENCINO, TX | $11,585 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(e)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Guards for Belt and Shaft Drives on Blow Motors (2023-05-08)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.219(e) Belt, rope, and chain drives 412 citations
- 1910.219(e)(1)(i) 195 citations
- 1910.219(e)(3) Vertical and inclined belts 193 citations
- 1910.219(e)(3)(i) 178 citations
- 1910.219(e)(2) Overhead horizontal belts 13 citations
- 1910.219(e)(2)(i) 12 citations
- 1910.219(e)(4) Vertical belts 3 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When must a horizontal belt be guarded?
Where both runs of horizontal belts are seven (7) feet or less from the floor level.
When must a belt be fully enclosed?
Where both runs of a horizontal belt are 42 inches or less from the floor.
Can a guardrail be used instead?
In powerplants or power-development rooms, a guardrail may be used in lieu of the guard.
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.