1910.217(c)(2): Power Press Point of Operation Guards
Employers must make sure every power press point of operation guard keeps hands and fingers from reaching through, over, under or around it, meets Table O-10 openings, creates no pinch point, uses fasteners the operator cannot readily remove, allows inspection and gives maximum visibility. Interlocked barrier guards must keep the clutch from activating unless the guard is in position.
Key takeaways
- 1910.217(c)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 61 times in the last 3 years, in 57 inspections, with $185,053 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) ("Point of operation guards") is one requirement inside 1910.217 Mechanical power presses, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). It includes 7 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
(2) Point of operation guards. 61 citations
(i) Every point of operation guard shall meet the following design, construction, application, and adjustment requirements: Open (c)(2)(i) 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.
(ii) A die enclosure guard shall be attached to the die shoe or stripper in a fixed position.
(iii) A fixed barrier guard shall be attached securely to the frame of the press or to the bolster plate. 1 citations
(iv) An interlocked press barrier guard shall be attached to the press frame or bolster and shall be interlocked with the press clutch control so that the clutch cannot be activated unless the guard itself, or the hinged or movable sections of the guard are in position to conform to the requirements of Table O-10.
(v) The hinged or movable sections of an interlocked press barrier guard shall not be used for manual feeding. The guard shall prevent opening of the interlocked section and reaching into the point of operation prior to die closure or prior to the cessation of slide motion. See paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this section regarding manual feeding through interlocked press barrier devices.
(vi) The adjustable barrier guard shall be securely attached to the press bed, bolster plate, or die shoe, and shall be adjusted and operated in conformity with Table O-10 and the requirements of this subparagraph. Adjustments shall be made only by authorized personnel whose qualifications include a knowledge of the provisions of Table O-10 and this subparagraph.
(vii) A point of operation enclosure which does not meet the requirements of this subparagraph and Table O-10 shall be used only in conjunction with point of operation devices.
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 | 29 |
| 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), 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).
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)(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
What must a point of operation guard prevent?
Entry of hands or fingers into the point of operation by reaching through, over, under or around the guard.
Can the operator remove guard fasteners?
Guards must use fasteners not readily removable by the operator.
Can interlocked guard sections be used for manual feeding?
No. The hinged or movable sections of an interlocked press barrier guard shall not be used for manual feeding.
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.