1910.219(c)(3): Guarding Vertical and Inclined Shafting
Vertical and inclined shafting 7 feet or less from the floor or working platform must be enclosed with a stationary casing, except on maintenance runways.
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(c)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 57 times in the last 3 years, in 57 inspections, with $230,954 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NJ (20), WI (6), NC (4).
- Related part: 1910.219(c) Shafting (703 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.219(c)(3) ("Guarding vertical and inclined shafting") is one requirement inside 1910.219 Mechanical power-transmission apparatus, 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
(3) Guarding vertical and inclined shafting. Vertical and inclined shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform, excepting maintenance runways, shall be enclosed with a stationary casing in accordance with requirements of paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. 57 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.219.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.219(c)(3).
At 8:30 a.m. on November 19, 2024, an employee working as a machinery maintenance technician for a mechanical contractor was troubleshooting a water pump located under a water truck tank. The employee was caught in the drive shaft that is connected to the power take-off…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: NJ (20), WI (6), NC (4), VA (3), NV (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ACCURATE ENERGETIC SYSTEMS, LLC | MC EWEN, TN | $54,000 |
| WEABER, INC. | LEBANON, PA | $16,000 |
| WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION | MARION, OH | $9,930 |
| AMCOR WISCONSIN, LLC | NEW LONDON, WI | $7,896 |
| HIRSCHI CO LLC | HENDERSON, NV | $7,035 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(c)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.219(c)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.219(c) Shafting 703 citations
- 1910.219(c)(4) Projecting shaft ends 331 citations
- 1910.219(c)(2) Guarding horizontal shafting 315 citations
- 1910.219(c)(2)(i) 302 citations
- 1910.219(c)(4)(i) 279 citations
- 1910.219(c)(4)(ii) 51 citations
- 1910.219(c)(5) Power-transmission apparatus located in basements
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
When must vertical shafting be guarded?
When it is seven feet or less from the floor or working platform.
What kind of guard is required?
A stationary casing, meeting paragraphs (m) and (o).
Is there an exception?
Yes, maintenance runways are excepted.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.219 (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.