29 CFR 1910.212: General requirements for all machines
The official text is on the eCFR. This page maps how the section is organized, quotes the paragraphs our ASP, CSP practice questions are built on, and gives free questions you can try. Text below is quoted from the eCFR, current as of 2026-10-14; the section was last amended 2017-01-01.
How 29 CFR 1910.212 is organized
- (a) Machine guarding—(1) Types of guarding17 paragraphs
- (b) Anchoring fixed machinery1 paragraph
Paragraphs our practice questions cite most
Counted across the 11 live PassCited questions built on this section. This reflects our question bank, not the real exam.
“(4) Barrels, containers, and drums. Revolving drums, barrels, and containers shall be guarded by an enclosure which is interlocked with the drive mechanism, so that the barrel, drum, or container cannot revolve unless the guard enclosure is in place.”
“(2) General requirements for machine guards. Guards shall be affixed to the machine where possible and secured elsewhere if for any reason attachment to the machine is not possible. The guard shall be such that it does not offer an accident hazard in itself.”
“(iii) Special handtools for placing and removing material shall be such as to permit easy handling of material without the operator placing a hand in the danger zone. Such tools shall not be in lieu of other guarding required by this section, but can only be used to supplement protection provided.”
“(5) Exposure of blades. When the periphery of the blades of a fan is less than seven (7) feet above the floor or working level, the blades shall be guarded. The guard shall have openings no larger than one-half ( 1/2) inch.”
“(b) Anchoring fixed machinery. Machines designed for a fixed location shall be securely anchored to prevent walking or moving.”
Free practice questions on 29 CFR 1910.212
Question 1
A plant uses a rotating tumbling barrel to deburr small parts. Operators sometimes reach in to check the load. Which guarding arrangement meets the standard for the revolving barrel?
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Answer: D. An enclosure interlocked with the drive mechanism so the barrel cannot revolve unless the enclosure is in place
Revolving drums, barrels, and containers need an enclosure interlocked with the drive so they cannot revolve unless the guard is in place. Signs, floor markings, or an attendant do not provide this.
Answer D rests on
29 CFR 1910.212(a)(4)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“Revolving drums, barrels, and containers shall be guarded by an enclosure which is interlocked with the drive mechanism, so that the barrel, drum, or container cannot revolve unless the guard enclosure is in place.”
Question 2
A shop supervisor proposes giving press operators tongs for placing and removing stock at the point of operation. The supervisor wants to remove the existing point of operation guard, since the tongs keep the operator's hands out of the danger zone. How does the standard treat this proposal?
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Answer: D. Not acceptable, because special handtools can only supplement required guarding and cannot replace it
Special handtools must permit easy handling without placing a hand in the danger zone, but they are not a substitute for required guarding and can only supplement it. Easy handling alone does not justify removing the guard.
Answer D rests on
29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(iii)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“Such tools shall not be in lieu of other guarding required by this section, but can only be used to supplement protection provided.”
Question 3
A finishing shop uses a revolving barrel tumbler to deburr small parts. The drum is surrounded by a hinged enclosure that operators keep closed during normal use. The drive motor can still be started with the enclosure open, and a sign on the machine reads "Keep cover closed while running." During an audit, what is the correct finding?
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Answer: A. Not compliant, because the enclosure must be interlocked with the drive so the drum cannot revolve unless the enclosure is in place
The standard requires the enclosure around a revolving drum to be interlocked with the drive mechanism, so the drum cannot turn unless the guard is in place. A sign or training depends on operator behavior and does not provide that interlock.
Answer A rests on
29 CFR 1910.212(a)(4)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“Revolving drums, barrels, and containers shall be guarded by an enclosure which is interlocked with the drive mechanism, so that the barrel, drum, or container cannot revolve unless the guard enclosure is in place.”
Where it shows up in exam prep
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Other Part 1910 sections
- 29 CFR 1910.1020: Access to employee exposure and medical records
- 29 CFR 1910.1030: Bloodborne pathogens
- 29 CFR 1910.1053: Respirable crystalline silica
- 29 CFR 1910.106: Flammable liquids
- 29 CFR 1910.119: Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
- 29 CFR 1910.120: Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
This is a study aid, not legal advice or an official interpretation. Always check the current eCFR text. Original practice questions, not real exam items. PassCited is not affiliated with or endorsed by BCSP.