1926.300(b)(4): Point of Operation Guarding
Machines whose point of operation can injure workers must be guarded, either to the applicable standard or, if none, so the operator cannot have any body part in the danger zone during the operating cycle. Special hand tools for placing and removing material may only add to required guarding, not replace it.
Key takeaways
- 1926.300(b)(4) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 42 times in the last 3 years, in 42 inspections, with $161,950 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MA (5), PA (4), MD (4).
- Related part: 1926.300(b) Guarding (310 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.300(b)(4) ("Point of operation guarding") is one requirement inside 1926.300 General requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart I). It includes 4 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
(4) Point of operation guarding. 42 citations
(i) Point of operation is the area on a machine where work is actually performed upon the material being processed. 1 citations
(ii) The point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded. The guarding device shall be in conformity with any appropriate standards therefor, or, in the absence of applicable specific standards, shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of his body in the danger zone during the operating cycle. Open (b)(4)(ii) 35 citations
(iii) Special handtools for placing and removing material shall be such as to permit easy handling of material without the operator placing a hand in the danger zone. Such tools shall not be in lieu of other guarding required by this section, but can only be used to supplement protection provided. 4 citations
(iv) The following are some of the machines which usually require point of operation guarding: 2 citations
(a) Guillotine cutters.
(b) Shears.
(c) Alligator shears.
(d) Power presses.
(e) Milling machines.
(f) Power saws.
(g) Jointers.
(h) Portable power tools.
(i) Forming rolls and calenders.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.300.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Top states: MA (5), PA (4), MD (4), NY (3), VA (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| IVAN NUNEZ | TROUTVILLE, VA | $15,375 |
| LOBAR, INC. | BERNVILLE, PA | $11,000 |
| DAKOTA FENCE | FARGO, ND | $10,000 |
| KANDK CONSTRUCTION LLC. | ALLENTOWN, PA | $8,067 |
| A. SPOLIDORO AND SONS, INC. | METHUEN, MA | $7,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.300(b)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.300(b) Guarding 310 citations
- 1926.300(b)(1) 159 citations
- 1926.300(b)(2) 92 citations
- 1926.300(b)(4)(ii) 35 citations
- 1926.300(b)(3) Types of guarding 12 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 is the point of operation?
The area on a machine where work is actually performed on the material being processed.
Can hand tools replace a guard?
No. Special hand tools can only supplement the guarding required.
Which machines usually need point of operation guards?
Examples include guillotine cutters, shears, power presses, milling machines, power saws, jointers, portable power tools, and forming rolls and calenders.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.300 (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 2026-10-19
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.