1910.263(c)(3): Enclosing Sprockets and V-Belt Drives in Bakeries
In bakery equipment, sprockets and V-belt drives within reach from platforms or passageways, or within 8 feet 6 inches from the floor, must be completely enclosed.
Key takeaways
- 1910.263(c)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 15 times in the last 3 years, in 15 inspections, with $183,801 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (3), PA (2), HI (1).
- Related part: 1910.263(c) General machine guarding (23 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.263(c)(3) ("Sprockets and V-belt drives") is one requirement inside 1910.263 Bakery equipment, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). 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) Sprockets and V-belt drives. Sprockets and V-belt drives located within reach from platforms or pasageways or located within 8 feet 6 inches from the floor shall be completely enclosed. 15 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.263.
Export the list: 15 inspections cited 1910.263(c)(3) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: IL (3), PA (2), HI (1), AR (1), TX (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALPHA BAKING CO., INC. | CHICAGO, IL | $99,000 |
| TABLE TALK PIES, INC. | WORCESTER, MA | $16,131 |
| SPECIALTY BAKERS LLC | MARYSVILLE, PA | $12,768 |
| ALESSI BAKERY | TAMPA, FL | $8,937 |
| MANCINI'S BAKERY | MC KEES ROCKS, PA | $8,689 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.263(c)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.263(c)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.263(c) General machine guarding 23 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Which drives must be enclosed?
Sprockets and V-belt drives within reach from platforms or passageways or within 8 feet 6 inches from the floor.
What kind of guarding?
Complete enclosure.
Which standard?
1910.263, bakery equipment.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.263 (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.