1910.217(b)(7): Controls for Part Revolution Clutch Presses
Employers must make sure presses with part revolution clutches release the clutch and apply the brake when the engaging means is removed or deenergized, and have a red stop control that immediately stops the press and overrides other controls. The press needs an employer-supervised selector for Off, Inch, Single Stroke and Continuous, an Inch control that keeps hands out of the point of operation, and two-hand controls protected against unintended operation with an antirepeat feature.
Key takeaways
- 1910.217(b)(7) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 29 times in the last 3 years, in 23 inspections, with $95,191 in current penalties.
- Most citations: OH (9), PA (4), WI (4).
- Related part: 1910.217(b) Mechanical power press guarding and construction, general (93 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.217(b)(7) ("Machines using part revolution clutches") is one requirement inside 1910.217 Mechanical power presses, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). It includes 15 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
(7) Machines using part revolution clutches. 29 citations
(i) The clutch shall release and the brake shall be applied when the external clutch engaging means is removed, deactivated, or deenergized.
(ii) A red color stop control shall be provided with the clutch/brake control system. Momentary operation of the stop control shall immediately deactivate the clutch and apply the brake. The stop control shall override any other control, and reactuation of the clutch shall require use of the operating (tripping) means which has been selected. 1 citations
(iii) A means of selecting Off, “Inch,” Single Stroke, and Continuous (when the continuous function is furnished) shall be supplied with the clutch/brake control to select type of operation of the press. Fixing of selection shall be by means capable of supervision by the employer. Open (b)(7)(iii) 14 citations
(iv) The “Inch” operating means shall be designed to prevent exposure of the workers hands within the point of operation by:
(a) Requiring the concurrent use of both hands to actuate the clutch, or
(b) Being a single control protected against accidental actuation and so located that the worker cannot reach into the point of operation while operating the single control.
(v) Two-hand controls for single stroke shall conform to the following requirements: Open (b)(7)(v) 10 citations
(a) Each hand control shall be protected against unintended operation and arranged by design, construction, and/or separation so that the concurrent use of both hands is required to trip the press.
(b) The control system shall be designed to permit an adjustment which will require concurrent pressure from both hands during the die closing portion of the stroke.
(c) The control system shall incorporate an antirepeat feature.
(d) The control systems shall be designed to require release of all operators' hand controls before an interrupted stroke can be resumed. This requirement pertains only to those single-stroke, two-hand controls manufactured and installed on or after August 31, 1971.
(vi) [Reserved]
(vii) Controls for more than one operating station shall be designed to be activated and deactivated in complete sets of two operator's hand controls per operating station by means capable of being supervised by the employer. The clutch/brake control system shall be designed and constructed to prevent actuation of the clutch if all operating stations are bypassed.
(viii) Those clutch/brake control systems which contain both single and continuous functions shall be designed so that completion of continuous circuits may be supervised by the employer. The initiation of continuous run shall require a prior action or decision by the operator in addition to the selection of Continuous on the stroking selector, before actuation of the operating means will result in continuous stroking.
(ix) If foot control is provided, the selection method between hand and foot control shall be separate from the stroking selector and shall be designed so that the selection may be supervised by the employer. 3 citations
(x) Foot operated tripping controls, if used, shall be protected so as to prevent operation from falling or moving objects, or from unintended operation by accidental stepping onto the foot control. 1 citations
(xi) The control of air-clutch machines shall be designed to prevent a significant increase in the normal stopping time due to a failure within the operating value mechanism, and to inhibit further operation if such failure does occur. This requirement shall apply only to those clutch/brake air-valve controls manufactured and installed on or after August 31, 1971, but shall not apply to machines intended only for continuous, automatic feeding applications.
(xii) The clutch/brake control shall incorporate an automatic means to prevent initiation or continued activation of the Single Stroke or Continuous functions unless the press drive motor is energized and in the forward direction.
(xiii) The clutch/brake control shall automatically deactivate in event of failure of the power or pressure supply for the clutch engaging means. Reactivation of the clutch shall require restoration of normal supply and the use of the tripping mechanism(s).
(xiv) The clutch/brake control shall automatically deactivate in event of failure of the counterbalance(s) air supply. Reactivation of the clutch shall require restoration of normal air supply and use of the tripping mechanism(s).
(xv) Selection of bar operation shall be by means capable of being supervised by the employer. A separate pushbutton shall be employed to activate the clutch, and the clutch shall be activated only if the driver motor is deenergized.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.217.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: OH (9), PA (4), WI (4), IN (3), IL (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MONTI, INC. | CINCINNATI, OH | $16,131 |
| FRAM GROUP OPERATIONS LLC | GREENVILLE, OH | $12,676 |
| ALINABAL, LLC | MILFORD, CT | $9,000 |
| OHIO GASKET & SHIM COMPANY | AKRON, OH | $7,905 |
| AMRON A DIVISION OF AMTEC CORPORATION | ANTIGO, WI | $7,094 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.217(b)(7), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.217(b) Mechanical power press guarding and construction, general 93 citations
- 1910.217(b)(4) Foot pedals (treadle) 39 citations
- 1910.217(b)(4)(i) 30 citations
- 1910.217(b)(7)(iii) 14 citations
- 1910.217(b)(7)(v) 10 citations
- 1910.217(b)(3) Machines using full revolution positive clutches 4 citations
- 1910.217(b)(13) Control reliability 3 citations
- 1910.217(b)(3)(ii) 1 citations
- 1910.217(b)(1) Hazards to personnel associated with broken or falling machine components 1 citations
- 1910.217(b)(4)(iii)
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Frequently asked questions
What must the stop control on a part revolution press look like?
It must be red, and momentary operation must immediately deactivate the clutch and apply the brake, overriding any other control.
How must the Inch control protect workers?
By requiring both hands, or by being a single protected control located so the worker cannot reach into the point of operation while using it.
What must two-hand controls have?
Each control protected against unintended operation, a design requiring both hands to trip the press, and an antirepeat feature.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.217 (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.