1910.219(c)(4): Guarding Projecting Shaft Ends
Projecting shaft ends must have a smooth edge and end and must not project more than one-half the diameter of the shaft unless guarded by nonrotating caps or safety sleeves. Unused keyways must be filled up or covered.
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(c)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 331 times in the last 3 years, in 297 inspections, with $921,786 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NC (44), WI (35), IA (34).
- 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)(4) ("Projecting shaft ends") is one requirement inside 1910.219 Mechanical power-transmission apparatus, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). It includes 2 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
(4) Projecting shaft ends. 331 citations
(i) Projecting shaft ends shall present a smooth edge and end and shall not project more than one-half the diameter of the shaft unless guarded by nonrotating caps or safety sleeves. Open (c)(4)(i) 279 citations
(ii) Unused keyways shall be filled up or covered. Open (c)(4)(ii) 51 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.219.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.219(c)(4).
At 10:40 p.m. on April 26, 2024, an employee was caught in a conveyor belt and died due to asphyxiation.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2024 | 113 |
| 2025 | 113 |
| 2026 | 80 |
Top states: NC (44), WI (35), IA (34), OR (27), VA (21)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RED RIVER COMMODITIES INC | COLBY, KS | $63,382 |
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $31,750 |
| 158954 - NVR, INC. | KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC | $16,550 |
| EMR, INC. | CAMDEN, NJ | $16,550 |
| WONDERFUL CITRUS PACKING LLC | MISSION, TX | $16,131 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(c)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.219(c)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.219(c) Shafting 703 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)(3) Guarding vertical and inclined shafting 57 citations
- 1910.219(c)(4)(ii) 51 citations
- 1910.219(c)(5) Power-transmission apparatus located in basements
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
How far may a shaft end project without a guard?
Not more than one-half the diameter of the shaft, unless guarded by nonrotating caps or safety sleeves.
What must the shaft end look like?
It must present a smooth edge and end.
What about unused keyways?
They must be filled up or covered.
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.