1910.217(e): Power Press Inspection and Maintenance
Employers must run a power press inspection program with general and directed parts. Presses need periodic, regular inspections and repairs before use, plus tests at least once a week of the clutch/brake mechanism, antirepeat feature and single-stroke mechanism, with certification records showing the date, signature and press identifier.
Key takeaways
- 1910.217(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 69 times in the last 3 years, in 62 inspections, with $117,046 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MN (10), IL (10), WI (7).
- Related part: 1910.217(e)(1) Inspection and maintenance records (66 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.217(e) ("Inspection, maintenance, and modification of presses") is one requirement inside 1910.217 Mechanical power presses, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). It includes 6 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
(e) Inspection, maintenance, and modification of presses — 69 citations
(1) Inspection and maintenance records. The employer shall establish and follow an inspection program having a general component and a directed component. Open (e)(1) 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.
(2) Modification. It shall be the responsibility of any person modifying a power press to furnish instructions with the modification to establish new or changed guidelines for use and care of the power press so modified. 1 citations
(3) Training of maintenance personnel. It shall be the responsibility of the employer to insure the original and continuing competence of personnel caring for, inspecting, and maintaining power presses. 2 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 | 7 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2026 | 16 |
Top states: MN (10), IL (10), WI (7), OH (7), 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 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.217(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.217(e)(1) Inspection and maintenance records 66 citations
- 1910.217(e)(1)(i) 51 citations
- 1910.217(e)(1)(ii) 7 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
How often must the clutch/brake mechanism be tested?
Each press must be inspected and tested on a regular basis at least once a week for the clutch/brake mechanism, antirepeat feature and single-stroke mechanism.
What must inspection records include?
The date of the work, the signature of the person who did it, and the serial number or other identifier of the press.
Can a press be run before needed repairs are done?
No. Necessary maintenance or repair must be performed and completed before operating 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.