What types of machine components are 

hazardous?

The following types of mechanical components 

present amputation hazards:

• Point of operation – the area of a machine 

where it performs work on material.

• Power-transmission apparatuses – flywheels, 

pulleys, belts, chains, couplings, spindles, cams, 

and gears in addition to connecting rods and 

other machine components that transmit energy.

• Other moving parts – machine components 

that move during machine operation such as 

reciprocating, rotating, and transverse moving 

parts as well as auxiliary machine parts.

What kinds of mechanical motion are 

hazardous?

All mechanical motion is potentially hazardous. In 

addition to in-running nip points (“pinch points”) – 

which occur when two parts move together and at 

least one moves in a rotary or circular motion that 

gears, rollers, belt drives, and pulleys generate – the 

following are the most common types of hazardous 

mechanical motion:

• Rotating – circular movement of couplings, 

cams, clutches, flywheels, and spindles as well 

as shaft ends and rotating collars that may grip 

clothing or otherwise force a body part into a 

dangerous location.

• Reciprocating – back-and-forth or up-anddown action that may strike or entrap a worker 

between a moving part and a fixed object.

• Transversing – movement in a straight, 

continuous line that may strike or catch a 

worker in a pinch or shear point created 

between the moving part and a fixed object.

• Cutting – action generated during sawing, 

boring, drilling, milling, slicing, and slitting.

• Punching – motion resulting when a machine 

moves a slide (ram) to stamp or blank metal or 

other material.

• Shearing – movement of a powered slide or 

knife during metal trimming or shearing.

• Bending – action occurring when power is 

applied to a slide to draw or form metal or 

other materials.

Are there any OSHA standards that cover 

amputation hazards in the workplace?

Yes. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has the following standards in Title 

29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to protect workers from amputations in the workplace:

• 29 CFR Part 1910 Subparts O and P cover 

machinery and machine guarding.

• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart I covers hand tools and 

powered tools.

• 29 CFR Part 1928 Subpart D covers agricultural 

equipment.

• 29 CFR Part 1915 Subparts C, H, and J; 29 CFR 

Part 1917 Subparts B, C, and G; and 29 CFR 

Part 1918 Subparts F, G, and H cover maritime 

operations.

What can employers do to help protect 

workers from amputations?

You should be able to recognize, identify, manage, 

and control amputation hazards commonly 

found in the workplace such as those caused 

Amputations

Amputations are some of the most serious and debilitating workplace injuries. They 

are widespread and involve a variety of activities and equipment. Amputations occur 

most often when workers operate unguarded or inadequately safeguarded mechanical 

power presses, power press brakes, powered and non-powered conveyors, printing 

presses, roll-forming and rollbending machines, food slicers, meat grinders, meatcutting band saws, drill presses, and milling machines as well as shears, grinders, and 

slitters. These injuries also happen during materials handling activities and when using 

forklifts and doors as well as trash compactors and powered and non-powered hand 

tools. Besides normal operation, the following activities involving stationary machines 

also expose workers to potential amputation hazards: setting up, threading, preparing, 

adjusting, cleaning, lubricating, and maintaining machines as well as clearing jams.

FactSheet
DSG FS-3508 04/2012

by mechanical components of machinery, the 

mechanical motion that occurs in or near these 

components, and the activities that workers 

perform during mechanical operation. 

Work practices, employee training, and administrative controls can help prevent and control 

amputation hazards. Machine safeguarding with 

the following equipment is the best way to control 

amputations caused by stationary machinery:

• Guards provide physical barriers that prevent 

access to hazardous areas. They should be 

secure and strong, and workers should not be 

able to bypass, remove, or tamper with them. 

Guards should not obstruct the operator’s view 

or prevent employees from working.

• Devices help prevent contact with points of 

operation and may replace or supplement 

guards. Devices can interrupt the normal 

cycle of the machine when the operator’s 

hands are at the point of operation, prevent 

the operator from reaching into the point of 

operation, or withdraw the operator’s hands 

if they approach the point of operation when 

the machine cycles. They must allow safe 

lubrication and maintenance and not create 

hazards or interfere with normal machine 

operation. In addition, they should be secure, 

tamper-resistant, and durable.

You are responsible for safeguarding machines 

and should consider this need when purchasing 

machinery. New machinery is usually available with 

safeguards installed by the manufacturer. You can 

also purchase appropriate safeguards separately or 

build them in-house.

Are certain jobs particularly hazardous 

for some employees?

Yes. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the 

Secretary of Labor has designated certain nonfarm 

jobs as especially hazardous for employees 

under the age of 18. These workers generally are 

prohibited from operating band saws, circular saws, 

guillotine shears, punching and shearing machines, 

meatpacking or meat-processing machines, paper 

products machines, woodworking machines, metalforming machines, and meat slicers.

Workers’ Rights

Workers have the right to:

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk of 

serious harm.

• Receive information and training (in a language 

and vocabulary the worker understands) about 

workplace hazards, methods to prevent them, 

and the OSHA standards that apply to their 

workplace.

• Review records of work-related injuries 

and illnesses.

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect 

their workplace if they believe there is a 

serious hazard or that their employer is not 

following OSHA’s rules. OSHA will keep all 

identities confidential.

• Exercise their rights under the law without 

retaliation, including reporting an injury or 

raising health and safety concerns with their 

employer or OSHA. If a worker has been 

retaliated against for using their rights, they 

must file a complaint with OSHA as soon as 

possible, but no later than 30 days.

For additional information, see OSHA’s Workers 

page (www.osha.gov/workers).

How to Contact OSHA

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 

of 1970, employers are responsible for providing 

safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. 

OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for 

America’s working men and women by setting 

and enforcing standards, and providing training, 

education and assistance. For more information, 

visit www.osha.gov or call OSHA at 1-800-321-

OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or 

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of 

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.