1910.263(c): Bakery Machine Guarding
Bakery employers must completely enclose all gears regardless of location, and completely enclose sprockets and V-belt drives within reach of platforms or passageways or within 8 feet 6 inches of the floor. Lubrication fittings on machines oiled while moving must have extension piping to a safe point, and exposed hot water and steam pipes must be insulated where needed to prevent contact.
Key takeaways
- 1910.263(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 23 times in the last 3 years, in 22 inspections, with $248,735 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (5), PA (3), AR (2).
- Related part: 1910.263(c)(3) Sprockets and V-belt drives (15 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.263(c) ("General machine guarding") is one requirement inside 1910.263 Bakery equipment, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 7 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
(c) General machine guarding. 23 citations
(1) [Reserved]
(2) Gears. All gears shall be completely enclosed regardless of location. 8 citations
(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. Open (c)(3) 15 citations
(4) [Reserved]
(5) Lubrication. Where machinery must be lubricated while in motion, stationary lubrication fittings inside a machine shall be provided with extension piping to a point of safety so that the employee will not have to reach into any dangerous part of the machine when lubricating.
(6)-(7) [Reserved]
(8) Hot pipes. Exposed hot water and steam pipes shall be covered with insulating material wherever necessary to protect employee from contact.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.263.
Export the list: 22 inspections cited 1910.263(c) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: IL (5), PA (3), AR (2), VA (2), WI (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALPHA BAKING CO., INC. | CHICAGO, IL | $99,000 |
| HARRISONBURG CONSTRUCTION, LLC | DAYTON, VA | $16,285 |
| TABLE TALK PIES, INC. | WORCESTER, MA | $16,131 |
| SPECIALTY BAKERS LLC | MARYSVILLE, PA | $12,768 |
| KNEAD DOUGH BAKING COMPANY DBA TURANO KNEAD DOUGH | BOLINGBROOK, IL | $12,000 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.263(c).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.263(c)(3) Sprockets and V-belt drives 15 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Do all gears need to be enclosed?
Yes. All gears shall be completely enclosed regardless of location.
Which belt drives must be enclosed?
Sprockets and V-belt drives within reach from platforms or passageways or within 8 feet 6 inches from the floor.
How must lubrication be done on moving machines?
Through extension piping to a point of safety so employees do not reach into dangerous parts.
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.