1910.217(e)(1): Power Press Inspection Records
Employers must set up and follow a power press inspection program with general and directed parts. This includes periodic, regular inspections of each press, weekly or more frequent tests of the clutch/brake, antirepeat and single-stroke mechanisms, repairs before operation, and certification records with date, signature and press identifier.
Key takeaways
- 1910.217(e)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 66 times in the last 3 years, in 61 inspections, with $113,951 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MN (10), IL (9), WI (7).
- Related part: 1910.217(e) Inspection, maintenance, and modification of presses (69 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.217(e)(1) ("Inspection and maintenance records") is one requirement inside 1910.217 Mechanical power presses, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). It includes 3 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
(1) Inspection and maintenance records. The employer shall establish and follow an inspection program having a general component and a directed component. 66 citations
(i) Under the general component of the inspection program, the employer shall: Open (e)(1)(i) 51 citations
(A) Conduct periodic and regular inspections of each power press to ensure that all of its parts, auxiliary equipment, and safeguards, including the clutch/brake mechanism, antirepeat feature, and single-stroke mechanism, are in a safe operating condition and adjustment;
(B) Perform and complete necessary maintenance or repair, or both, before operating the press; and
(C) Maintain a certification record of each inspection, and each maintenance and repair task performed, under the general component of the inspection program that includes the date of the inspection, maintenance, or repair work, the signature of the person who performed the inspection, maintenance, or repair work, and the serial number, or other identifier, of the power press inspected, maintained, and repaired.
(ii) Under the directed component of the inspection program, the employer shall: Open (e)(1)(ii) 7 citations
(A) Inspect and test each press on a regular basis at least once a week to determine the condition of the clutch/brake mechanism, antirepeat feature, and single-stroke mechanism;
(B) Perform and complete necessary maintenance or repair, or both, on the clutch/brake mechanism, antirepeat feature, and single-stroke mechanism before operating the press; and
(C) Maintain a certification record of each maintenance task performed under the directed component of the inspection program that includes the date of the maintenance task, the signature of the person who performed the maintenance task, and the serial number, or other identifier, of the power press maintained.
Inspections of the clutch/brake mechanism, antirepeat feature, and single-stroke mechanism conducted under the directed component of the inspection program are exempt from the requirement to maintain certification records specified by paragraph (e)(1)(i)(C) of this section, but inspections of the clutch/brake mechanism, antirepeat feature, and single-stroke mechanism conducted under the general component of the inspection program are not exempt from this requirement.
(iii) Paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section does not apply to presses that comply with paragraphs (b)(13) and (14) of this section.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.217.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 16 |
Top states: MN (10), IL (9), WI (7), OH (6), TX (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 110671 - RAHNS CUSTOM MANUFACTURING INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $15,750 |
| WISCONSIN STAMPING & MANUFACTURING, LLC | GERMANTOWN, WI | $14,063 |
| FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC | GREENVILLE, OH | $13,000 |
| TOPRE AMERICA CORPORATION | CULLMAN, AL | $9,930 |
| APEX GEOTECH SOLUTIONS DBA OCI DRILLTOOLS | KILGORE, TX | $9,268 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.217(e)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
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Related parts of this rule
- 1910.217(e) Inspection, maintenance, and modification of presses 69 citations
- 1910.217(e)(1)(i) 51 citations
- 1910.217(e)(1)(ii) 7 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What are the two parts of the inspection program?
A general component and a directed component.
How often is the directed inspection done?
On a regular basis at least once a week.
What goes in the certification record?
The date of the work, the signature of the person who performed it, and the serial number or other identifier of the press.
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 2026-10-21
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.