1910.217(c)(2)(i): Design of Press Point of Operation Guards
Employers must make sure every power press point of operation guard prevents hands or fingers from reaching through, over, under or around it, meets Table O-10 openings, creates no pinch point with moving parts, uses fasteners not readily removable by the operator, makes inspection easy and gives maximum visibility of the point of operation.
Key takeaways
- 1910.217(c)(2)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 60 times in the last 3 years, in 56 inspections, with $184,403 in current penalties.
- Most citations: WI (9), KY (8), IN (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)(2)(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) Every point of operation guard shall meet the following design, construction, application, and adjustment requirements: 60 citations
(a) It shall prevent entry of hands or fingers into the point of operation by reaching through, over, under or around the guard;
(b) It shall conform to the maximum permissible openings of Table O-10;
(c) It shall, in itself, create no pinch point between the guard and moving machine parts;
(d) It shall utilize fasteners not readily removable by operator, so as to minimize the possibility of misuse or removal of essential parts;
(e) It shall facilitate its inspection, and
(f) It shall offer maximum visibility of the point of operation consistent with the other requirements.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.217.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: WI (9), KY (8), IN (7), IL (6), TN (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PRECISION IMPACTS, LLC | MIAMISBURG, OH | $14,895 |
| UTICA METAL PRODUCTS, INC. | UTICA, NY | $13,902 |
| DYNAMIC STAMPINGS, INC. | SUSSEX, WI | $11,292 |
| HARRISON JET GUNS II, L.P. / HJG MANUFACTURING | KENNEDALE, TX | $9,268 |
| TARGET METAL BLANKING INC. | SAUK VILLAGE, IL | $8,938 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.217(c)(2)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.217(c)(2)(i).
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)(1)(i) 87 citations
- 1910.217(c)(2) Point of operation guards 61 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
What must the guard prevent?
Entry of hands or fingers into the point of operation by reaching through, over, under or around the guard.
What opening sizes are allowed?
Those within the maximum permissible openings of Table O-10.
Can a guard create a pinch point?
No. The guard shall, in itself, create no pinch point between the guard and moving machine parts.
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.