1910.217(d)(9): Safe Die Setting on Power Presses
Employers must set a diesetting procedure that meets the point of operation guarding rules, provide spring loaded turnover bars for presses designed for them, and provide die stops or other means on inclined presses. They must provide and enforce safety blocks whenever dies are adjusted or repaired, and supply brushes, swabs, lubricating rolls or pressure guns so no one reaches into the point of operation to lubricate.
Key takeaways
- 1910.217(d)(9) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 30 times in the last 3 years, in 26 inspections, with $78,155 in current penalties.
- Most citations: WI (5), IL (5), PA (3).
- Related part: 1910.217(d) Design, construction, setting and feeding of dies (41 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.217(d)(9) ("Diesetting") is one requirement inside 1910.217 Mechanical power presses, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). It includes 5 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
(9) Diesetting. 30 citations
(i) The employer shall establish a diesetting procedure that will insure compliance with paragraph (c) of this section. Open (d)(9)(i) 20 citations
(ii) The employer shall provide spring loaded turnover bars, for presses designed to accept such turnover bars. 2 citations
(iii) The employer shall provide die stops or other means to prevent losing control of the die while setting or removing dies in presses which are inclined.
(iv) The employer shall provide and enforce the use of safety blocks for use whenever dies are being adjusted or repaired in the press. Open (d)(9)(iv) 8 citations
(v) The employer shall provide brushes, swabs, lubricating rolls, and automatic or manual pressure guns so that operators and diesetters shall not be required to reach into the point of operation or other hazard areas to lubricate material, punches or dies.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.217.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: WI (5), IL (5), PA (3), NY (3), CT (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NEWMAN TECHNOLOGY OF ALABAMA, INC. | ALBERTVILLE, AL | $16,550 |
| NI ILLINOIS, LLC | CICERO, IL | $7,400 |
| ASHLAND WATER GROUP INC. | RISINGSUN, OH | $6,951 |
| P&G STEEL PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC. | BUFFALO, NY | $6,000 |
| PRINCE & IZANT COMPANY | CLEVELAND, OH | $6,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.217(d)(9), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Lock out/Tag out (LOTO) requirements for die-setting operations in hydraulic power presses. (2005-04-22)
- Using slide locks in lieu of die blocks on mechanical power presses. (1998-12-21)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.217(d) Design, construction, setting and feeding of dies 41 citations
- 1910.217(d)(9)(i) 20 citations
- 1910.217(d)(1) General requirements 10 citations
- 1910.217(d)(9)(iv) 8 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
When must safety blocks be used?
Whenever dies are being adjusted or repaired in the press, and the employer must provide and enforce their use.
What prevents losing control of dies on inclined presses?
Die stops or other means provided by the employer.
How should operators lubricate dies?
With brushes, swabs, lubricating rolls or pressure guns so they do not reach into the point of operation.
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 2026-10-22
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.