1910.219(d): Pulley Guarding
Employers must guard pulleys that have any part 7 feet or less from the floor or work platform, following the guard rules in paragraphs (m) and (o). Belt guides are needed where clearance is too tight, cracked or broken pulleys must not be used, and pulleys run faster than the maker's normal recommendations must be specially designed and carefully balanced.
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 445 times in the last 3 years, in 445 inspections, with $1,375,253 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NC (42), IA (33), VA (30).
- Related part: 1910.219(d)(1) Guarding (445 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.219(d) ("Pulleys") is one requirement inside 1910.219 Mechanical power-transmission apparatus, 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
(d) Pulleys — 445 citations
(1) Guarding. Pulleys, any parts of which are seven (7) feet or less from the floor or working platform, shall be guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Pulleys serving as balance wheels (e.g., punch presses) on which the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than six feet six inches (6 ft. 6 in.) from the floor or platform may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes. Open (d)(1) 445 citations
(2) Location of pulleys.
(i) Unless the distance to the nearest fixed pulley, clutch, or hanger exceeds the width of the belt used, a guide shall be provided to prevent the belt from leaving the pulley on the side where insufficient clearance exists.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) Broken pulleys. Pulleys with cracks, or pieces broken out of rims, shall not be used.
(4) Pulley speeds. Pulleys intended to operate at rim speed in excess of manufacturers normal recommendations shall be specially designed and carefully balanced for the speed at which they are to operate.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.219.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.219(d).
At 7:45 p.m. on September 27, 2024, Employee #1 was operating a dual-hopper log shaver when the employee made contact with the cutter heads of the machine. The employee was caught in the machine and sustained fatal injuries. The employee's body above the legs was…
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 | 32 |
| 2024 | 175 |
| 2025 | 159 |
| 2026 | 79 |
Top states: NC (42), IA (33), VA (30), MN (26), IL (22)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TAMPA BAY FISHERIES, INC. | DOVER, FL | $165,514 |
| 68657 - DURO HILEX POLY LLC | FLORENCE, KY | $28,000 |
| 159713 - MERCHANTS METALS LLC | STATESVILLE, NC | $16,550 |
| FERMENTATIONEXPERTS USA, LLC | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $15,000 |
| THE KRAFT HEINZ FOODS COMPANY | COSHOCTON, OH | $15,000 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.219(d)(1) Guarding 445 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Which pulleys must be guarded?
Pulleys with any part 7 feet or less from the floor or working platform.
Can a cracked pulley be used?
No. Pulleys with cracks or pieces broken out of rims shall not be used.
Is there a special rule for balance wheels?
Balance wheel pulleys, such as on punch presses, with belt contact more than 6 feet 6 inches up may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes.
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.