1910.212(a)(2): Machine Guards Must Be Secured and Safe
Employers must attach machine guards to the machine where possible, and secure them elsewhere if attaching to the machine is not possible. The guard itself must not create an accident hazard.
Key takeaways
- 1910.212(a)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 219 times in the last 3 years, in 219 inspections, with $1,170,153 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (24), PA (20), KY (18).
- Related part: 1910.212(a) Machine guarding (6,817 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.212(a)(2) ("General requirements for machine guards") is one requirement inside 1910.212 General requirements for all machines, 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
(2) General requirements for machine guards. Guards shall be affixed to the machine where possible and secured elsewhere if for any reason attachment to the machine is not possible. The guard shall be such that it does not offer an accident hazard in itself. 219 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.212.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.212(a)(2).
At 2:45 p.m. on November 6, 2024, Employee #1 was attempting to reattach the hydraulic cylinder and ram of a baler located on the west wall of the Baler Room. It was believed that the baler machine may have been cycled to extend the cylinder…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 77 |
| 2025 | 82 |
| 2026 | 44 |
Top states: IL (24), PA (20), KY (18), WI (17), GA (11)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WYOMING LEGACY MEATS CUSTOM | CODY, WY | $27,655 |
| 66960 - DURO HILEX POLY LLC | WALTON, KY | $27,000 |
| 159477 - MOUNTAIRE FARMS OF NORTH CAROLINA CORP. | LUMBER BRIDGE, NC | $22,342 |
| PUNCH BOWL SOCIAL AUSTIN | AUSTIN, TX | $17,286 |
| OSI GROUP, LLC | FORT ATKINSON, WI | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.212(a)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Several questions regarding OSHA's LOTO and Bakery standards 29 CFR 1910.147 and 1910.263. (2006-08-25)
- Oil Rig Inspection. (1980-12-15)
- Kelly Bushings on Oil Well Drilling Rigs (1980-02-21)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.212(a) Machine guarding 6,817 citations
- 1910.212(a)(1) Types of guarding 4,605 citations
- 1910.212(a)(3) Point of operation guarding 1,830 citations
- 1910.212(a)(3)(ii) 1,645 citations
- 1910.212(a)(3)(iii) 121 citations
- 1910.212(a)(5) Exposure of blades 121 citations
- 1910.212(a)(3)(iv) 39 citations
- 1910.212(a)(4) Barrels, containers, and drums 28 citations
- 1910.212(a)(3)(i) 17 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
Where must a machine guard be attached?
To the machine where possible, and secured elsewhere if attachment to the machine is not possible.
Can a guard create its own hazard?
No. The guard shall be such that it does not offer an accident hazard in itself.
Is a loose guard acceptable?
No. Guards must be affixed to the machine or secured elsewhere.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.212 (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.