1910.219(c)(5): Power-transmission apparatus located in basements
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(c)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- 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)(5) ("Power-transmission apparatus located in basements") is one requirement inside 1910.219 Mechanical power-transmission apparatus, 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
(5) Power-transmission apparatus located in basements. All mechanical power transmission apparatus located in basements, towers, and rooms used exclusively for power transmission equipment shall be guarded in accordance with this section, except that the requirements for safeguarding belts, pulleys, and shafting need not be complied with when the following requirements are met:
(i) The basement, tower, or room occupied by transmission equipment is locked against unauthorized entrance.
(ii) The vertical clearance in passageways between the floor and power transmission beams, ceiling, or any other objects, is not less than five feet six inches (5 ft. 6 in.).
(iii) The intensity of illumination conforms to the requirements of ANSI A11.1-1965 (R-1970), which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6.
(iv) [Reserved]
(v) The route followed by the oiler is protected in such manner as to prevent accident.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.219.
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(c)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- OSHA's machine guarding requirements provide no exemption from guarding based on shaft size or speed. (2006-01-09)
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)(3) Guarding vertical and inclined shafting 57 citations
- 1910.219(c)(4)(ii) 51 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.
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
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.
