1910.219(h)(1): Removing or Covering Projections on Revolving Parts
Employers must remove, make flush or cover with a metal guard all projecting keys, setscrews and other projections on revolving parts. This does not apply to keys or setscrews inside gear or sprocket casings or other enclosures, or to keys, setscrews or oilcups in hubs of pulleys less than 20 inches in diameter that are within the plane of the pulley rim.
Key takeaways
- 1910.219(h)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 29 times in the last 3 years, in 29 inspections, with $67,973 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: SD (12), NC (6), IA (4).
- Related part: 1910.219(h) Keys, setscrews, and other projections (29 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.219(h)(1) 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
(1) All projecting keys, setscrews, and other projections in revolving parts shall be removed or made flush or guarded by metal cover. This subparagraph does not apply to keys or setscrews within gear or sprocket casings or other enclosures, nor to keys, setscrews, or oilcups in hubs of pulleys less than twenty (20) inches in diameter where they are within the plane of the rim of the pulley. 29 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(h)(1).
At 9:45 a.m. on March 28, 2024, Employee #1 was moving grain and needed to open the gate on the C-1 bin conveyor, but the gate would not open, so Employee #1 began to troubleshoot the gate. When Employee #1 could not effectively troubleshoot the…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: SD (12), NC (6), IA (4), AZ (3), OH (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CASE FARMS PROCESSING, INC. | WINESBURG, OH | $16,550 |
| AGTEGRA COOPERATIVE | ROSCOE, SD | $8,000 |
| INNOVIVE, LLC | NORTH SIOUX CITY, SD | $7,269 |
| SMITHFIELD PACKAGED MEATS CORPORATION | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $6,150 |
| FERMENTATIONEXPERTS USA, LLC | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $6,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.219(h)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.219(h)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.219(h) Keys, setscrews, and other projections 29 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
What counts as a projection?
Projecting keys, setscrews and other projections in revolving parts.
What are the three ways to comply?
Remove the projection, make it flush, or guard it with a metal cover.
Do small pulleys need this?
Keys, setscrews or oilcups in hubs of pulleys less than 20 inches in diameter are exempt where they are within the plane of the rim.
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 2026-10-23
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.