OSHA 1926.300(b): guards on power tools and moving parts
Under 29 CFR 1926.300(b), power operated tools designed to accommodate guards must have them in place when in use, and exposed belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, chains and other moving parts must be guarded if employees could contact them or they otherwise create a hazard.
Official text
(b)(1) When power operated tools are designed to accommodate guards, they shall be equipped with such guards when in use.Read the full section on eCFR
(b)(2) Belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating or moving parts of equipment shall be guarded if such parts are exposed to contact by employees or otherwise create a hazard. Guarding shall meet the requirements as set forth in American National Standards Institute, B15.1-1953 (R1958), Safety Code for Mechanical Power-Transmission Apparatus.Read the full section on eCFR
(b)(3) Types of guarding. One or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Examples of guarding methods are—barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc.Read the full section on eCFR
What it requires, in plain English
- Power operated tools designed to accommodate guards are equipped with those guards when in use.
- Belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, flywheels, chains and other moving parts are guarded if exposed to contact by employees or if they otherwise create a hazard.
- One or more guarding methods protect the operator and others in the machine area from point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks.
- Guarding of mechanical power-transmission parts meets ANSI B15.1-1953 (R1958).
Where it shows up on site
- An angle grinder with the guard removed to fit a larger wheel or reach a tight spot
- A mixer or compressor with the belt guard left off after maintenance
- A chop saw with the guard tied back
Verify on site before you call it
A photo rarely shows every fact a standard depends on. Confirm these in person before treating the condition as a violation:
- Was the tool designed to accommodate a guard, and is the guard available?
- Is the tool in use, or tagged out of service for repair?
- Are the moving parts exposed to contact by employees, or otherwise creating a hazard?
- Is a more specific rule, such as 1926.304 for saws, the better reference?
Typical corrective actions
- Take the tool out of use until its guard is reinstalled.
- Replace missing belt, pulley and chain guards before the equipment is restarted.
- Use wheels and accessories that fit with the guard in place.
- Remind the crew not to remove guards to speed up a cut or reach a tight spot.
Common questions
Can you remove the guard from an angle grinder?
When a power operated tool is designed to accommodate a guard, 1926.300(b)(1) requires it to be equipped with that guard when in use. Running the grinder with its guard removed would not meet that requirement.
What moving parts have to be guarded under 1926.300?
1926.300(b)(2) lists belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, flywheels, chains, and other reciprocating, rotating or moving parts of equipment, when they are exposed to contact by employees or otherwise create a hazard.
Turn the observation into a notice
Record what the photo shows, confirm the on-site checks above, and identify the responsible company and due date. Use the fillable construction safety notice template or follow aworked example from observation to verified fix. Cirqify can draft the notice from your circled photo for you to review.
Related standards
This guide summarizes federal OSHA construction standards for general information. It is not legal advice. States with their own OSHA-approved plans may set different or additional requirements; see federal and state coverage.