1910.219(i): Safe Shaft Collars and Couplings
Employers must make all revolving collars, including split collars, cylindrical, with no screws or bolts projecting beyond the largest periphery of the collar. Shaft couplings must present no hazard from bolts, nuts, setscrews or revolving surfaces, unless they are covered with safety sleeves or used parallel with the shafting and countersunk or not extending beyond the coupling flange.
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 25 times in the last 3 years, in 25 inspections, with $59,179 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IA (7), PA (3), TN (2).
- Related part: 1910.219(i)(2) Couplings (24 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.219(i) ("Collars and couplings") 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
(i) Collars and couplings — 25 citations
(1) Collars. All revolving collars, including split collars, shall be cylindrical, and screws or bolts used in collars shall not project beyond the largest periphery of the collar. 1 citations
(2) Couplings. Shaft couplings shall be so constructed as to present no hazard from bolts, nuts, setscrews, or revolving surfaces. Bolts, nuts, and setscrews will, however, be permitted where they are covered with safety sleeves or where they are used parallel with the shafting and are countersunk or else do not extend beyond the flange of the coupling. Open (i)(2) 24 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.219.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: IA (7), PA (3), TN (2), IL (2), NC (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NUCO FOODS, LLC | ELIZABETHTOWN, PA | $27,308 |
| FROZEN FOOD DEVELOPMENT, INC. | ELIZABETHTOWN, PA | $5,530 |
| NGC, INC. | JOHNSTON, RI | $4,034 |
| WEST MADISON FOODS, INC. | THORNTON, IL | $4,000 |
| FCX2026XBB472X0005 - RELIANT WELL DRILLING AND PUMP CORPORATION, INC. | BOWIE, AZ | $3,972 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirement to guard shaft couplings. (1975-06-23)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.219(i)(2) Couplings 24 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
What shape must revolving collars be?
Cylindrical, including split collars.
Can collar screws stick out?
No, screws or bolts must not project beyond the largest periphery of the collar.
When are bolts on couplings allowed?
When covered with safety sleeves, or used parallel with the shafting and countersunk or not extending beyond the flange.
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 2026-10-22
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.