1926.307(d)(1): Guarding Low Pulleys
Employers must guard pulleys with any part 7 feet or less from the floor or working platform, following the rule's guarding paragraphs. Balance-wheel pulleys, such as on punch presses, where the belt contact point is more than 6 ft. 6 in. from the floor or platform may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes.
Key takeaways
- 1926.307(d)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 21 times in the last 3 years, in 21 inspections, with $23,063 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NC (6), MD (5), MN (4).
- Related part: 1926.307(d) Pulleys (21 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.307(d)(1) ("Guarding") is one requirement inside 1926.307 Mechanical power-transmission apparatus, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart I). 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
(1) Guarding. Pulleys, any parts of which are 7 feet (2.128 m) or less from the floor or working platform, shall be guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Pulleys serving as balance wheels (e.g., punch presses) on which the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than 6 ft. 6 in. (1.976 m) from the floor or platform may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes. 21 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.307.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: NC (6), MD (5), MN (4), WI (1), NE (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JUVENTINO LOPEZ | FREMONT, NE | $3,457 |
| EDUARDO LARA JIMENEZ | MANSFIELD, TX | $3,227 |
| FEDEWA INC. | NEENAH, WI | $2,657 |
| CUSTOM BUILDING AND REMODELING, LLC | HORACE, ND | $2,128 |
| TRAF-MARK INDUSTRIES, L.L.C. | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,600 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.307(d)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.307(d)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.307(d) Pulleys 21 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
At what height must pulleys be guarded?
When any part is 7 feet or less from the floor or working platform.
Is there a different option for balance wheels?
Yes. Where the belt contact point is more than 6 ft. 6 in. from the floor or platform, a disk covering the spokes may be used.
What is an example of a balance wheel pulley?
The rule gives punch presses as an example.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.307 (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.