1910.263(e)(1)(viii): Mixer Bowl Enclosures
Employers must equip every bakery mixer with a full enclosure over the bowl that stays closed whenever the agitator is moving. Only minor openings such as ingredient doors and flour inlets, each less than 1 1/2 square feet, may be opened while the mixer runs.
Key takeaways
- 1910.263(e)(1)(viii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 22 times in the last 3 years, in 22 inspections, with $86,800 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PR (6), WI (2), NJ (2).
- Related part: 1910.263(e) Mixers (35 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.263(e)(1)(viii) is one requirement inside 1910.263 Bakery equipment, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). 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
(viii) Every mixer shall be equipped with a full enclosure over the bowl which is closed at all times while the agitator is in motion. Only minor openings in this enclosure, such as ingredient doors, flour inlets, etc., each representing less than 11⁄2 square feet in area, shall be capable of being opened while the mixer is in operation. 22 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.263.
Export the list: 22 inspections cited 1910.263(e)(1)(viii) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: PR (6), WI (2), NJ (2), OR (2), NV (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RED RIBBON BAKESHOP, INC. | ENGLEWOOD, NJ | $38,717 |
| NATURAL OVENS BAKERY DIVISION OF ALPHA BAKING | MANITOWOC, WI | $7,543 |
| ALESSI BAKERY | TAMPA, FL | $6,385 |
| 157413 - VALLEY NURSING HEALTHCARE, LLC | TAYLORSVILLE, NC | $5,200 |
| NEXT LEVEL STAFFING | ENGLEWOOD, NJ | $4,500 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.263(e)(1)(viii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.263(e) Mixers 35 citations
- 1910.263(e)(1) Horizontal dough mixers 31 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Must the mixer bowl be enclosed?
Yes. Every mixer must have a full enclosure over the bowl, closed at all times while the agitator is in motion.
What openings may be opened during operation?
Only minor openings such as ingredient doors and flour inlets, each less than 1 1/2 square feet in area.
Can the main cover be opened while the agitator runs?
No. The enclosure must be closed at all times while the agitator is in motion.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.263 (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 2026-11-06
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.