1910.219(c): Guarding Power Transmission Shafting
Employers must secure shafting against endwise movement and guard exposed horizontal, vertical and inclined shafting 7 feet or less from the floor or work platform with stationary casings or troughs. Projecting shaft ends must be smooth and limited in length or capped, unused keyways filled or covered, and basement or tower equipment guarded unless strict conditions are met.
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 703 times in the last 3 years, in 593 inspections, with $2,361,477 in current penalties.
- 9 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NC (79), IA (67), WI (61).
- Related part: 1910.219(c)(4) Projecting shaft ends (331 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.219(c) ("Shafting") is one requirement inside 1910.219 Mechanical power-transmission apparatus, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart O). It includes 16 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
(c) Shafting — 703 citations
(1) Installation.
(i) Each continuous line of shafting shall be secured in position against excessive endwise movement.
(ii) Inclined and vertical shafts, particularly inclined idler shafts, shall be securely held in position against endwise thrust.
(2) Guarding horizontal shafting. Open (c)(2) 315 citations
(i) All exposed parts of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform, excepting runways used exclusively for oiling, or running adjustments, shall be protected by a stationary casing enclosing shafting completely or by a trough enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting as location requires. Open (c)(2)(i) 302 citations
(ii) Shafting under bench machines shall be enclosed by a stationary casing, or by a trough at sides and top or sides and bottom, as location requires. The sides of the trough shall come within at least six (6) inches of the underside of table, or if shafting is located near floor within six (6) inches of floor. In every case the sides of trough shall extend at least two (2) inches beyond the shafting or protuberance. 3 citations
(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. Open (c)(3) 57 citations
(4) Projecting shaft ends. Open (c)(4) 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
(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: Open (c)(5)
(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.
Injuries linked to this rule
9 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.219(c).
At 10:35 a.m. on December 2, 2024, Employee #1 was performing maintenance on a sensor inside a robotic enclosure. As he entered the area, the robot was stoppedby entrance sensors. While he was cleaning the sensor, a coworker reset the machine from the control panel,…
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 | 48 |
| 2024 | 260 |
| 2025 | 243 |
| 2026 | 152 |
Top states: NC (79), IA (67), WI (61), VA (47), MN (37)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RED RIVER COMMODITIES INC | COLBY, KS | $63,382 |
| ACCURATE ENERGETIC SYSTEMS, LLC | MC EWEN, TN | $54,000 |
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $47,625 |
| GREAT KITCHENS FOOD COMPANY, INC. | BROCKTON, MA | $40,000 |
| 68657 - DURO HILEX POLY LLC | FLORENCE, KY | $28,000 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(c), 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)(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
- 1910.219(c)(5) Power-transmission apparatus located in basements
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Frequently asked questions
At what height must shafting be guarded?
Exposed shafting 7 feet or less from the floor or working platform, with some exceptions for oiling and maintenance runways.
What about projecting shaft ends?
They must have a smooth edge and end and not project more than one-half the shaft diameter unless guarded by nonrotating caps or safety sleeves.
What must be done with 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.