Machine guarding for the food processing industry.

Standard Number: 1910.212 ; 1910.219

This memorandum is in response to a request for interpretative guidance as to whether all unguarded machinery and power transmission apparatus in food processing facilities are required to be guarded. The guidance is that all unguarded machinery and power transmission apparatus must be guarded.

The applicable regulations (1910.212 & 1910.219) do not exempt such facilities from compliance nor do they allow a lesser degree of protection for their employees. Additionally, the issue some food processing employers raise regarding the difficulties of designing guards that do not cause contamination of the product does not relieve or reduce their responsibilities.

The Food and Drug Administration does not have any rules or regulations that prohibit the guarding of machinery or power transmission apparatus. Their position on this issue is that any guards must not cause any contamination of the food products.

If you need any additional information regarding the preceding, please contact John McFee at FTS 596-1201.