1910.219(e)(4): Guarding Vertical Belts
Vertical belts running over a lower pulley more than seven (7) feet above the floor or platform must be guarded at the bottom the same way as horizontal overhead belts, when the conditions in paragraphs (e)(2)(ii)(a) and (c) apply.
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(e)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $0 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- 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)(4) ("Vertical belts") 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
(4) Vertical belts. Vertical belts running over a lower pulley more than seven (7) feet above floor or platform shall be guarded at the bottom in the same manner as horizontal overhead belts, if conditions are as stated in paragraphs (e)(2)(ii) (a) and (c) of this section. 3 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)(4).
At 12:30 p.m. on November 21, 2023, an employee was using a forklift to load pallets onto a box truck. The employee attempted to back from the box truck to the dock, but the truck had rolled away, and the forklift fell to the ground.…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(e)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.219(e)(4).
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)(2)(i) 12 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Which vertical belts need guarding?
Those running over a lower pulley more than seven (7) feet above floor or platform, when the conditions in (e)(2)(ii)(a) and (c) apply.
Where is the guard placed?
At the bottom.
How must it be guarded?
In the same manner as horizontal overhead 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.