1910.219(e)(3): Guards for Vertical and Inclined Belts
Vertical and inclined belts must be enclosed by a guard that meets paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Guards for inclined belts must be arranged so there is at least seven feet of clearance between the belt and the floor at any point outside the guard.
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(e)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 193 times in the last 3 years, in 190 inspections, with $270,045 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NC (21), TN (14), VA (12).
- 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)(3) ("Vertical and inclined belts") 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
(3) Vertical and inclined belts. 193 citations
(i) Vertical and inclined belts shall be enclosed by a guard conforming to standards in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Open (e)(3)(i) 178 citations
(ii) All guards for inclined belts shall be arranged in such a manner that a minimum clearance of seven (7) feet is maintained between belt and floor at any point outside of guard. 8 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.219.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 68 |
| 2025 | 72 |
| 2026 | 39 |
Top states: NC (21), TN (14), VA (12), TX (10), MD (10)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ELDORADO RESORTS, INC. | RENO, NV | $44,648 |
| ROMAC DISTRIBUTION TRUSS PLANT | SUMTERVILLE, FL | $16,550 |
| K & S TIRE RECYCLING, INC. | CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL | $14,300 |
| ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND | DES MOINES, IA | $10,641 |
| PETRO-HUNT LLC | KILLDEER, ND | $10,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(e)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.219(e)(3).
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)(i) 178 citations
- 1910.219(e)(2) Overhead horizontal belts 13 citations
- 1910.219(e)(2)(i) 12 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
Do vertical belts need a guard?
Yes. Vertical and inclined belts shall be enclosed by a guard conforming to paragraphs (m) and (o).
What clearance is required for inclined belt guards?
A minimum clearance of seven feet between belt and floor at any point outside the guard.
Which belts does this rule cover?
Vertical and inclined belts.
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.