1910.261(k): Emergency Stops and Guarding in Paper Machine Rooms
Employers in pulp and paper mills must equip paper machines with emergency stop devices that stop the machine quickly, are tested periodically, and can be reached by anyone working on the machine. Drives must have lockout devices at the power switch, rotating shaft ends and exposed shafts must be guarded, and face shields, aprons and rubber gloves must be provided to workers handling acids.
Key takeaways
- 1910.261(k) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 9 inspections, with $85,629 in current penalties.
- Most citations: WI (4), OH (2), PA (2).
- Related part: 1910.261(k)(11) Steam and hot-water pipes (2 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.261(k) ("Machine room") is one requirement inside 1910.261 Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 45 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
(k) Machine room — 10 citations
(1) Emergency stops. Paper machines shall be equipped with devices that will stop the machine quickly in an emergency. The devices shall consist of push buttons for electric motive power (or electrically operated engine stops), pull cords connected directly to the prime mover, control clutches, or other devices, interlocked with adequate braking action. The devices shall be tested periodically by making use of them when stopping the machine and shall be so located that any person working on the machine can quickly disconnect the machine from the source of power in case of emergency. 2 citations
(2) Drives. 1 citations
(i) All drives shall be provided with lockout devices at the power switch which interrupts the flow of current to the unit.
(ii) All ends of rotating shafts including dryer drum shafts shall be completely guarded. 1 citations
(iii) All accessible disengaged doctor blades should be covered.
(iv) All exposed shafts shall be guarded. Crossovers shall be provided.
(v) Oil cups and grease fittings shall be placed in a safe area remote from nip and heat hazards.
(3) Protective equipment. Face shields, aprons, and rubber gloves shall be provided for workmen handling acids in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) and (d)(1) of this section.
(4)-(5) [Reserved]
(6) Steps. Steps of uniform rise and tread with nonslip surfaces that meet the requirements in subpart D of this part shall be provided at each press.
(7) Plank walkways. A removable plank shall be provided along each press, with standard guardrails installed. The planks shall have nonslip surfaces in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
(8) Dryer lubrication. If a gear bearing must be oiled while the machine is in operation, an automatic oiling device to protect the oiler shall be provided, or oil cups and grease fittings shall be placed along the walkways out of reach of hot pipes and dryer gears.
(9) Levers. All levers carrying weights shall be constructed so that weights will not slip or fall off.
(10) First dryer. Either a permanent guardrail or apron guard or both shall be installed in front of the first dryer in each section in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section. 1 citations
(11) Steam and hot-water pipes. All exposed steam and hot-water pipes within 7 feet of the floor or working platform or within 15 inches measured horizontally from stairways, ramps, or fixed ladders shall be covered with an insulating material, or guarded in such manner as to prevent contact. Open (k)(11) 2 citations
(12) Dryer gears. Dryer gears shall be guarded excepting where the oilers' walkway is removed out of reach of the gears' nips and spokes and hot pipes in accordance with American National Standard B15.1—1953 (reaffirmed 1958).
(i) A guardrail shall be provided at broke holes in accordance with § 1910.23.
(13) Broke hole.
(i) A guardrail that complies with subpart D of this part shall be provided at broke holes.
(ii) Where pulpers are located directly below the broke hole on a paper machine and where the broke hole opening is large enough to permit a worker to fall through, any employee pushing broke down the hole shall wear a safety belt attached to a safety belt line. The safety belt line shall be fastened in such a manner that it is impossible for the person to fall into the pulper.
(iii) An alarm bell or a flashing light shall be actuated before dropping material through the broke hole.
(14) Feeder belt. A feeder belt or other effective device shall be provided for starting paper through the calender stack.
(15) Steps. Steps or ladders that comply with subpart D of this part and tread with nonslip surfaces shall be provided at each calendar stack. Handrails and hand grips complying with subpart D shall be provided at each calendar stack.
(16) [Reserved]
(17) Sole plates. All exposed sole plates between dryers, calenders, reels, and rewinders shall have a nonskid surface.
(18) Nip points. The hazard of the nip points on all calender rolls shall be eliminated or minimized by means of an effective barrier device, or by feeding the paper into the rolls by means of a rope carrier, air jets, or hand feeding devices. 2 citations
(19) Platforms. [Reserved]
(20) Scrapers. Alloy steel scrapers with pullthrough blades approximately 3 by 5 inches in size shall be used to remove “scabs” from calender rolls.
(21) Illumination. Permanent lighting shall be installed in all areas where employees are required to make machine adjustments and sheet transfers in accordance with the American National Standard A11.1—1965 (R 1970).
(22) Control panels. All control panel handles and buttons shall be protected from accidental contact.
(23) [Reserved]
(24) Lifting reels. 1 citations
(i) The reels shall stop rotating before being lifted from bearings.
(ii) All lifting equipment (clamps, cables, and slings) shall be maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly. 1 citations
(iii) Reel shafts with square block ends shall be guarded.
(25) Feeder belts. Feeder belts, carrier ropes, air carriage, or other equally effective means shall be provided for starting paper into the nip or drum-type reels.
(26) Inrunning nip.
(i) Where the nipping points of all drum winders and rewinders is on the operator's side, it shall be guarded by barrier guards interlocked with the drive mechanism.
(ii) [Reserved]
(27) Core collars. Set screws for securing core collars to winding and unwinding shafts shall not protrude above the face of the collar. All edges of the collar with which an operator's hand comes in contact shall be beveled to remove all sharp corners.
(28) Slitter knives. Slitter knives shall be guarded so as to prevent accidental contact. Carriers shall be provided and used for transportation of slitter knives. 1 citations
(29) Winder shaft. The winder shall have a guide rail to align the shaft for easy entrance into the opened rewind shaft bearing housings.
(30) Core shaft. When the core shaft weighs in excess of the safe standard, a mechanical device such as a dolly shall be provided for carrying all or part of the weight when it is being removed from the set of paper and placed in the dressing brackets on the winder.
(31) Winder area. A nonskid surface shall be provided in the front vicinity of the winder to prevent accidental slipping.
(32) Radiation. Special standards regarding the use of radiation equipment shall be posted and followed as required by § 1910.96.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.261.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: WI (4), OH (2), PA (2), IL (1), GA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NEENAH, INC. | STEVENS POINT, WI | $23,718 |
| FREEDOM CORRUGATED LLC | HAZLE TOWNSHIP, PA | $13,066 |
| ND PAPER INC. | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $12,098 |
| OX PAPERBOARD ILLINOIS, LLC | PEKIN, IL | $7,094 |
| DYNOS GROUP GMBH | FRANKLIN, OH | $7,000 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.261(k), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.261(k)(11) Steam and hot-water pipes 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How must paper machine emergency stops be tested?
They must be tested periodically by using them when stopping the machine.
Do paper machine drives need lockout devices?
Yes. All drives must have lockout devices at the power switch that interrupts current to the unit.
What protective gear is required for handling acids in the machine room?
Face shields, aprons and rubber gloves must be provided.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.261 (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.