1910.243(e)(1)(ii): Guarding Power-Driven Chains, Belts and Gears
All power-driven chains, belts and gears must be positioned or guarded to prevent the operator's accidental contact during normal starting, mounting and operation of the machine.
Key takeaways
- 1910.243(e)(1)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 14 inspections, with $32,260 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (3), NJ (2), LA (1).
- Related part: 1910.243(e) Power lawnmowers (30 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.243(e)(1)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.243 Guarding of portable powered tools, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart P). 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
(ii) All power-driven chains, belts, and gears shall be so positioned or otherwise guarded to prevent the operator's accidental contact therewith, during normal starting, mounting, and operation of the machine. 14 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.243.
Export the list: 14 inspections cited 1910.243(e)(1)(ii) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.243(e)(1)(ii).
At 7:00 a.m. on June 2, 2024, an employee working for a landscaping service was tasked with mowing the side of a public land with a Gravely Pro-Turn 260 KAW lawnmower. The mower lost traction and fell into a retention pond pinning the employee under…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TN (3), NJ (2), LA (1), NY (1), MA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| H & O INVESTMENTS, LLC | ELMWOOD, LA | $7,467 |
| ATLANTIC CITY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | ATLANTIC CITY, NJ | $7,000 |
| TEXASCAPES INC. | AUSTIN, TX | $7,000 |
| PREMIER LAWN MAINTENANCE LLC | LONGWOOD, FL | $5,793 |
| BOROUGH OF BROOKLAWN DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | BROOKLAWN, NJ | $2,800 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.243(e)(1)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.243(e)(1)(ii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.243(e) Power lawnmowers 30 citations
- 1910.243(e)(1) General requirements 25 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must be guarded?
All power-driven chains, belts and gears.
When must contact be prevented?
During normal starting, mounting and operation of the machine.
Can positioning count as guarding?
Yes. They shall be positioned or otherwise guarded to prevent accidental contact.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.243 (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 2026-11-06
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.