1910.219(e)(3)(i): Enclose Vertical and Inclined Belts
Vertical and inclined belts must be enclosed by a guard that meets paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(e)(3)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 178 times in the last 3 years, in 178 inspections, with $211,584 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NC (21), TN (14), VA (11).
- 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)(3)(i) 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
(i) Vertical and inclined belts shall be enclosed by a guard conforming to standards in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. 178 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 | 13 |
| 2024 | 68 |
| 2025 | 63 |
| 2026 | 34 |
Top states: NC (21), TN (14), VA (11), IN (10), IA (10)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ELDORADO RESORTS, INC. | RENO, NV | $44,648 |
| ROMAC DISTRIBUTION TRUSS PLANT | SUMTERVILLE, FL | $16,550 |
| ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND | DES MOINES, IA | $10,641 |
| LIGNETICS INC | KENBRIDGE, VA | $9,960 |
| JOHNSON BROS. - WEST SALEM, INC. | WEST SALEM, OH | $9,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(e)(3)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.219(e)(3)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.219(e) Belt, rope, and chain drives 412 citations
- 1910.219(e)(1) Horizontal belts and ropes 201 citations
- 1910.219(e)(1)(i) 195 citations
- 1910.219(e)(3) Vertical and inclined belts 193 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
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
Do vertical and inclined belts need guards?
Yes. They shall be enclosed by a guard.
What standards must the guard meet?
Paragraphs (m) and (o) of 1910.219.
Can the belt be partly open?
The rule requires the belt to be enclosed by a 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.