1910.217(c)(1)(i): Employer Must Provide and Ensure Use of Press Guards
Employers are responsible for providing point of operation guards, or properly applied and adjusted point of operation devices, on every operation performed on a mechanical power press. Employers must also make sure those guards or devices are actually used.
Key takeaways
- 1910.217(c)(1)(i) 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 83 inspections, with $471,929 in current penalties.
- Most citations: OH (17), PA (11), IL (7).
- Related part: 1910.217(c) Safeguarding the point of operation (182 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.217(c)(1)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.217 Mechanical power presses, 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
(i) It shall be the responsibility of the employer to provide and insure the usage of “point of operation guards” or properly applied and adjusted point of operation devices on every operation performed on a mechanical power press. See Table O-10. 87 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.217.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2025 | 39 |
| 2026 | 18 |
Top states: OH (17), PA (11), IL (7), MN (7), FL (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| G&S METAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC. | CLEVELAND, OH | $56,460 |
| 66353 - YS PRECISION STAMPING INC | GEORGETOWN, KY | $28,000 |
| AIRSTREAM, INC | JACKSON CENTER, OH | $16,000 |
| 110671 - RAHNS CUSTOM MANUFACTURING INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $15,750 |
| MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. | EL PASO, TX | $15,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.217(c)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Evaluation of hair pen point of operation guards (1980-03-05)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.217(c) Safeguarding the point of operation 182 citations
- 1910.217(c)(1) General requirements 88 citations
- 1910.217(c)(2) Point of operation guards 61 citations
- 1910.217(c)(2)(i) 60 citations
- 1910.217(c)(3) Point of operation devices 26 citations
- 1910.217(c)(3)(iii) 10 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
Who is responsible for point of operation guarding on a power press?
The employer is responsible for providing it and insuring its use.
Does the rule apply to every press operation?
Yes. It applies to every operation performed on a mechanical power press.
Is a device allowed instead of a guard?
Yes, if it is a properly applied and adjusted point of operation device.
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.