1910.263(e): Horizontal Dough Mixer Safeguards
Horizontal dough mixers must have all external drive parts completely enclosed, an individual motor and control with a convenient manual switch to prevent starting during servicing, and controls located so the operator sees the open bowl. Power-dumping mixers need two-hand safety devices when the bowl is more than one-fifth open, bowls need a full enclosure closed while the agitator runs, and accidental-closing covers must be counterbalanced or held open.
Key takeaways
- 1910.263(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 35 times in the last 3 years, in 34 inspections, with $181,342 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PR (11), WI (4), FL (3).
- Related part: 1910.263(e)(1) Horizontal dough mixers (31 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.263(e) ("Mixers") is one requirement inside 1910.263 Bakery equipment, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 17 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
(e) Mixers — 35 citations
(1) Horizontal dough mixers. Open (e)(1) 31 citations
(i) Mixers with external power application shall have all belts, chains, gears, pulleys, sprockets, clutches, and other moving parts completely enclosed. 7 citations
(ii) [Reserved]
(iii) Each mixer shall be equipped with an individual motor and control, and with a conveniently located manual switch to prevent the mixer from being started in the usual manner while the machine is being serviced and cleaned. 1 citations
(iv) All electrical control stations shall be so located that the operator must be in full view of the bowl in its open position. No duplication of such controls other than a stop switch shall be permitted.
(v) All mixers with power and manual dumping arrangements shall be equipped with safety devices which shall: 1 citations
(a) Engage both hands of the operator, when the agitator is in motion under power, and while the bowl is opened more than one-fifth of its total opening.
(b) Prevent the agitator from being started, while the bowl is more than one-fifth open, without engaging both hands of the operator;
(vi)-(vii) [Reserved]
(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. Open (e)(1)(viii) 22 citations
(ix) [Reserved]
(x) Overhead covers or doors which are subject to accidental closure shall be counterbalanced to remain in an open position or provided with means to hold them open until positively released by the operator.
(xi)-(xvii) [Reserved]
(xviii) Valves and controls to regulate the coolant in mixer jackets shall be located so as to permit access by the operator without jeopardizing his safety.
(2) Vertical mixers. 4 citations
(i) Vertical mixers shall comply with paragraphs (e)(1) (i), (iii), (ix) and (x), of this section. 4 citations
(ii) [Reserved]
(iii) Bowl locking devices shall be of a positive type which require the attention of the operator for unlocking.
(iv) Devices shall be made available for moving bowls weighing more than 80 pounds, with contents, into and out of the mixing position on the machine.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.263.
Export the list: 34 inspections cited 1910.263(e) 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 | 12 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: PR (11), WI (4), FL (3), NJ (2), TX (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUT CORPORATION | WEST ALLIS, WI | $56,742 |
| RED RIBBON BAKESHOP, INC. | ENGLEWOOD, NJ | $38,717 |
| KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUT CORPORATION | WEST ALLIS, WI | $13,005 |
| NATURAL OVENS BAKERY DIVISION OF ALPHA BAKING | MANITOWOC, WI | $7,543 |
| HEARTHSIDE FOOD SOLUTIONS | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $7,000 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.263(e).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.263(e)(1) Horizontal dough mixers 31 citations
- 1910.263(e)(1)(viii) 22 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Where must mixer controls be located?
So the operator must be in full view of the bowl in its open position; no duplicate controls other than a stop switch are permitted.
When must both hands be engaged?
When the agitator is in motion under power while the bowl is opened more than one-fifth of its total opening.
Can the bowl enclosure be opened while running?
Only minor openings such as ingredient doors and flour inlets, each less than 1 1/2 square feet in area.
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 2026-11-05
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.