1910.219(e)(2)(i): Guarding Low Overhead Belts
Overhead horizontal belts with lower parts seven (7) feet or less from the floor or platform must be guarded on the sides and bottom according to paragraph (o)(3).
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(e)(2)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $17,813 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: WI (2), MD (2), IL (1).
- Related part: 1910.219(e) Belt, rope, and chain drives (412 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.219(e)(2)(i) 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
(i) Overhead horizontal belts, with lower parts seven (7) feet or less from the floor or platform, shall be guarded on sides and bottom in accordance with paragraph (o)(3) of this section. 12 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(e)(2)(i).
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,…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: WI (2), MD (2), IL (1), AZ (1), KY (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NEMAK USA, INC. | SHEBOYGAN, WI | $10,000 |
| CPX2024XJW184X0046 - ARIZONA MERCHANTS, LLC | PHOENIX, AZ | $7,813 |
| MIDWEST DRY TRANSLOAD, INC. | GALVA, IL | $0 |
| MILWAUKEE MATERIALS, LLC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $0 |
| COMPLETE HOME SERVICES, INC. | FREDERICK, MD | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(e)(2)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.219(e)(2)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.219(e) Belt, rope, and chain drives 412 citations
- 1910.219(e)(1) Horizontal belts and ropes 201 citations
- 1910.219(e)(1)(i) 195 citations
- 1910.219(e)(3) Vertical and inclined belts 193 citations
- 1910.219(e)(3)(i) 178 citations
- 1910.219(e)(2) Overhead horizontal belts 13 citations
- 1910.219(e)(4) Vertical belts 3 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.
Frequently asked questions
Which overhead belts need guarding on sides and bottom?
Those with lower parts seven (7) feet or less from the floor or platform.
What paragraph sets the guard requirements?
Paragraph (o)(3) of 1910.219.
Which sides must be guarded?
The sides and bottom.
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.