Per machine
Correct each exposure point
A strong response usually identifies every cited machine, the guarding method used, and who verified the machine before return to service.
29 CFR 1910FY top-10 cited · rank #101910.212
Cited under 1910.212 Machine Guarding? Here's what usually has to happen next.
1910.212 requires guarding to protect employees from point-of-operation hazards, nip points, rotating parts, and flying debris. In practice, citations here usually require per-machine correction, not just a policy memo, plus photo proof and maintenance coordination before closeout.
Guarding issues are visible, and OSHA can document multiple machines in one visit. The follow-up work usually includes hardware correction, before-and-after proof, and lockout coordination.
Start HereProof & DocsOwner HandoffWhat to ConfirmPacket PDF
Most cases $349. Simple cases may qualify for a lower post-preview price.Free preview. No charge if your citation isn't supported.
1910.212 · what usually follows
Why a Machine Guarding citation usually turns into an abatement and documentation project.
Contest timing can matter, but most employers still need to fix hazards, gather proof, line up Owner Handoff, and prepare written closeout support.
Visual proof
Before and after documentation
OSHA often expects photographic support, inspection notes, and signoff showing each cited machine was actually corrected.
Owner Handoff
Maintenance + safety + operators
Maintenance, EHS, and operator training usually all play a role in making guarding corrections stick after the first fix.
Template Packs
Machine guarding pack included
Matched cases include machine inventory, guarding inspection, photo-log, and signoff files, with Lockout/Tagout support when the equipment requires it.
Typical items
Sub-codes we see most under 1910.212.
If you were cited under 1910.212, your Form OSHA-2 likely references one or more of these. The packet breaks each one down with abatement steps, proof needs, and an assigned owner.
- 1910.212(a)(1)Machine guarding not provided to protect operator and other employees from machine hazards.serious
- 1910.212(a)(3)(ii)Point of operation not guarded to prevent the operator from having any part of the body in the danger zone.serious
- 1910.212(b)Fixed machines not securely anchored to prevent walking or moving.other
Your actual citation will match one of these sub-codes exactly. The packet parses the CFR reference on your Form OSHA-2 and builds the correct item-level response.
Who on your team handles Machine Guarding abatement?
Abatement responsibility should never land on a single role. Here's how a typical citation usually splits:
Maintenance Lead
Guard fabrication/installation, fastener specification, reinstallation after service
EHS Manager
Hazard assessment, guard adequacy, before/after documentation
HR / Training Lead
Operator training on guard use and not-to-remove policy
Evidence OSHA typically wants to see
Written closeout support usually requires documentation like this. Your packet generates the exact list for every cited item.
- Pre- and post-abatement photos for each cited machine
- Written machine-guarding program (dated)
- Inspection checklist for guard integrity
- Training records on guard policy and reporting removed guards
- Lockout/tagout procedures referencing guard reinstallation
Template Packs
Template packs commonly matched for Machine Guarding citations.
When those issue types appear in the packet, the full product includes downloadable files you can hand off internally, fill in, and add to your closeout package.
Included when matched
Machine Guarding Pack
Machine inventory, guarding inspection checklist, photo log, and signoff sheet.
Included when matched
Lockout/Tagout Pack
Energy-control procedures, equipment inventory, inspections, and training logs.
The exact template set depends on the actual sub-items on your citation, not just the top-line standard code.
How it compares
Your options after a citation.
OSHA Action Packet isn't a replacement for an attorney on serious cases. It's the organized starting point most employers never build.
OSHA defense attorney
- Typical cost
- $5k–$15k retainer
- Turnaround
- Days to weeks
- What you get
- Legal strategy, contest filing, formal response
Compliance consultant
- Typical cost
- $3k–$8k
- Turnaround
- 1–2 weeks
- What you get
- Site walk, abatement plan, written report
Do it yourself
- Typical cost
- Your time
- Turnaround
- Unpredictable
- What you get
- Full control, high risk of missed deadlines
OSHA Action Packet
Best fit- Typical cost
- Usually $349
- Turnaround
- 2–5 minutes
- What you get
- Deadlines, Proof & Docs, Owner Handoff, downloads
If your citation involves a fatality, willful violations, or significant penalty exposure, talk to an OSHA attorney. For most other citations, the gap isn't legal strategy. It's organization and speed.
Related standards
Often cited alongside this one.
Federal OSHA inspections rarely yield a single-standard citation. If you were cited under one of these, you were probably cited under the others too.
1910.147Top 6
Lockout/Tagout
Facilities with multiple machines often rely on generic procedures or informal practices. OSHA then finds missing procedure detail, skipped annual audits, and training records that do not match the equipment actually serviced.
See abatement guide
1910.178Top 7
Powered Industrial Trucks
Forklift programs break when operators change, evaluations are not documented, or pre-shift checks are handled informally. OSHA can usually see those gaps quickly from interviews, records, and truck condition.
See abatement guide
1910.212 · FAQ
Machine Guarding citation questions
Does contest timing still matter for a Machine Guarding citation?
Yes, if the receipt date still keeps the federal 15-working-day window open. But even when the contest window is gone or unclear, the main work usually remains abatement, proof collection, Owner Handoff, and written closeout support.
Do I need a lawyer for a 1910.212 citation?
For citations involving a fatality, willful violation, or significant penalty exposure, yes, hire an OSHA defense attorney. For many citations under this standard, the immediate gap is operational: abatement work, proof, Owner Handoff, and written closeout documentation. That is the work OSHA Action Packet helps organize.
What evidence does OSHA expect for abating 1910.212?
For Machine Guarding citations, OSHA typically wants: Pre- and post-abatement photos for each cited machine; Written machine-guarding program (dated); Inspection checklist for guard integrity. The full list is generated per-item inside your packet based on what was actually cited on your inspection.
Who on my team handles Machine Guarding abatement?
Typical ownership is split across Maintenance Lead, EHS Manager, HR / Training Lead. Each packet assigns every cited item to a role and produces Owner Handoff ready to share directly.
What if my citation bundles multiple standards?
That is the norm. Most federal OSHA inspections yield 3 to 12 items across several standards. Your packet covers every item. This page is just the standard-specific guide for one of them.
Are there included template packs for Machine Guarding citations?
Yes. Common matched packs for this standard include Machine Guarding Pack, Lockout/Tagout Pack. The exact template set depends on the actual cited sub-items in your packet.
What does the packet actually include?
Packet PDF, per-item Abatement Plan, Proof & Docs, Owner Handoff, Calendar (.ics), CSVs, included template packs when applicable, and the Full Packet ZIP. Preview is free. You only pay if you want the full packet and downloads.
Cited under 1910.212? Start your packet.
Upload your federal OSHA citation PDF and see the free preview in under a minute. Most cases are $349 after preview, and some simple cases qualify for a lower price. The same packet handles deadlines, abatement, proof, Owner Handoff, and downloads.
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