1910.213(i)(1): Bandsaw Blade and Wheel Guarding
Employers must enclose or guard every part of a bandsaw blade except the working portion between the bottom of the guide rolls and the table, and fully encase the band wheels. The rule sets enclosure materials, mesh limits, and requires the guard near the sliding guide to self-adjust with the guide.
Key takeaways
- 1910.213(i)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 87 times in the last 3 years, in 87 inspections, with $255,105 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NC (13), VA (9), IL (8).
- Related part: 1910.213(i) Bandsaws and band resaws (91 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.213(i)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.213 Woodworking machinery requirements, 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
(1) All portions of the saw blade shall be enclosed or guarded, except for the working portion of the blade between the bottom of the guide rolls and the table. Bandsaw wheels shall be fully encased. The outside periphery of the enclosure shall be solid. The front and back of the band wheels shall be either enclosed by solid material or by wire mesh or perforated metal. Such mesh or perforated metal shall be not less than 0.037 inch (U.S. Gage No. 20), and the openings shall be not greater than three-eighths inch. Solid material used for this purpose shall be of an equivalent strength and firmness. The guard for the portion of the blade between the sliding guide and the upper-saw-wheel guard shall protect the saw blade at the front and outer side. This portion of the guard shall be self-adjusting to raise and lower with the guide. The upper-wheel guard shall be made to conform to the travel of the saw on the wheel. 87 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.213.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.213(i)(1).
At 3:45 a.m. on December 5, 2023, three employees were operating a resaw stacker. Coworker #1 was operating the infeed side, while Coworker #2 trained Employee #1 on operating the stacker side. The resaw stacker takes pre-cut boards and rips them down to smaller sizes…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: NC (13), VA (9), IL (8), OR (5), NJ (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| XPO MANUFACTURING, LLC | SEARCY, AR | $16,131 |
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $13,415 |
| SMITH-MIDLAND CORPORATION | MIDLAND, VA | $13,415 |
| HIGGINS PALLET CO INC. | LAMAR, MO | $11,585 |
| ALBANY INDUSTRIES- GALAX, LLC | GALAX, VA | $11,401 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.213(i)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.213(i)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.213(i) Bandsaws and band resaws 91 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Which part of a bandsaw blade may be left unguarded?
Only the working portion of the blade between the bottom of the guide rolls and the table.
What are the mesh limits for band wheel enclosures?
Mesh or perforated metal must be not less than 0.037 inch (U.S. Gage No. 20), with openings not greater than three-eighths inch.
Must the guard above the cut move with the guide?
Yes. That portion of the guard must be self-adjusting to raise and lower with the guide.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.213 (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.