Meat grinder standards.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

January 28, 1982

Mr. James H. Tourtelotte
Robinson, Donovan, Madden & Berry, P.C.
Attorneys at Law
1500 Main Street - Suite 1400
Springfield, Massachusetts 01115

Dear Mr. Tourtelotte:

Thank you for your letter of November 30, 1981, regarding meat grinder standards. Please accept our apology for the delay in response.

Guarding of Alligators Shears.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

June 24, 1981

Power press brake used as a mechanical power press (punch press).

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

September 23, 1980

S.A. Brennen, President
PSC Corporation
Industrial Control Division
6880 Orangethorpe Avenue Buena Park, California 90620

Dear Mr. Brennen:

This is in response to your correspondence regarding a power press brake used as a mechanical power press (punch press).

Machine Guarding Standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 29, 1996

Mr. Joe Kaczmar
Koolant Koolers, Inc.
2625 Emerald Drive
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001-4542

Dear Mr. Kaczmar:

This is in response to your March 13 letter requesting interpretation of the machine guarding standard, 29 CFR 1910 Subpart O. Your question and our reply follow.

Scenario: Industrial processing equipment (condenser) fans are located within 7 feet (2.7 m) of a workplace floor.

Are Seybolt Cutter subject to machine guarding requirements.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 25, 1992

Mr. James W. Pittenger
Northern Graphics
8435 Loop Road
Baldwinsville, New York 13027

Dear Mr. Pittenger:

Mr. James J. Concannon, Director of the Office of Variance Determination, forwarded your letter of July 3, 1991 concerning the 36 inch "Seybolt Cutter", for an evaluation by this office. Please accept our apologies for the delay in responding.

Machine-guarding requirements

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

December 20, 1994

Mr. David R. Jones Loss Control Manager Smith International, Inc. 16740 Hardy Street Houston, Texas 77035

Dear Mr. Jones:

This letter is in response to your variance application of November 11 addressed to the Assistant Secretary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and forwarded to the Directorate of Technical Support for action. In this variance application, you requested a permanent variance from 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1), the standard which defines OSHA's general machine-guarding requirements.

Concerning power press brake operations.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 7, 1991

Mr. David J. Bierman
Colt Equipment, Inc.
8300 Manchester Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63144

Dear Mr. Bierman:

Thank you for your letter of August 19, concerning power press brake operations. In your letter you pose several questions, as follows:

1. "Specifically - safeguarding by distance when using foot pedal, switch, or treadle - if the dies never require hands in die operation.

a. What is considered a safe distance? b. What is considered a large work piece?"

Radial saw guards and table saw guarding systems.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

July 10, 1990

Mr. Mathew A. Ros
Risk Manager
Delta International Machinery Corporation
246 Alpha Drive
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15238-2985

Dear Mr. Ros:

The adequate guarding of a process pump.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 15, 1995

Mr. E.C. Arms, Jr.
Regulatory Specialist
Westvaco Chemical Division
Box 70848
Charleston Heights, SC 29415-0848

Dear Mr. Arms:

This is in response to your letter of February 24, 1995, regarding the adequate guarding of a process pump.

Calendar stacks used in the pulp and paper industry

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 1, 1991

Alex C. Smart
Ass't Vice-President/Eng'r
Corporate Engineering
46 North First Street
Fulton, New York 13069-1299

Dear Mr. Smart:

This is in response to your letter of February 25, in which you requested confirmation of an interpretation on 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii) and 1910.2261(k)(18), as a result of a telephone conversation with Jeff Finch, of my staff.