New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 12 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Chapter I - Industrial Board Of Appeals
Subchapter A - The Industrial Code
Part 23 - Protection In Construction, Demolition And Excavation Operations
Subpart 23-1 - General Provisions
Section 23-1.12 - Guarding of power-driven machinery

Universal Citation: 12 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 23-1.12

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 12, March 26, 2025

(a) General. Power-driven machines not specifically considered in this Part (rule) shall be guarded in accordance with the requirements of Industrial Code Part (Rule No.) 19 relating to "Guarding of Dangerous Machinery, Vats and Pans."

(b) Keys, set screws and similar projections. All keys, set screws, bolts and similar projections on shafts, pulleys, gears, collars and couplings and other revolving members, where such projections are not countersunk or protected by location from accidental contact by persons, shall be guarded by smooth, cylindrical safety sleeves constructed of wood or metal which completely surrounds each such projection, or each such projection shall be guarded by a stationary enclosure of sheet metal, wire mesh, expanded metal or other suitable material. Any openings in such enclosures shall reject a ball one-half inch in diameter.

(c) Power-driven saws.

(1) Every portable, power-driven, hand-operated saw which is not provided with a saw table, except chain saws and circular brush saws, shall be equipped with a fixed guard above the base plate which will completely protect the operator from contact with the saw blade when the saw is operating and with a movable self-adjusting guard below the base plate which will completely cover the saw blade to the depth of the teeth when such saw blade is removed from the cut.

Note: Electrically-driven portable saws are also subject to the provisions of section 23-1.10 of this Part (rule).

(2) Every power-driven saw, other than a portable saw, shall be equipped with a guard which covers the saw blade to such an extent as will prevent contact with the teeth. In operation, such guard shall rise automatically by pressure from the material being cut or shall be so adjusted that as the saw cuts the material, the distance from the material to the underside of the guard does not exceed one-half inch. The exposed teeth of the saw blade beneath the table shall be effectively guarded. Every such saw shall be provided with a cut-off switch within easy reach of the operator without his leaving the operating position.

Exception:Any arm saw whose upper blade half is enclosed and which is provided with a front blocking bar or rod is not required to be guarded by the automatic rising pressure guard.

(3) Every table circular saw used for ripping shall be provided with a spreader securely fastened in position and with an effective device to prevent material kickback.

(d) Sprockets and gears. Sprockets and gears which are not protected by location or design from accidental contact by persons shall be completely enclosed or shall be provided with band guards which cover the periphery and which have side flanges which extend below the roots of the teeth.

(e) Belts, pulleys and flywheels. All belts except conveyor belts and all pulleys and flywheels which are less than seven feet above the ground, floor, working platform, runway or equivalent surface where persons work or pass and which are not protected by location from accidental contact by persons, shall have all moving parts guarded by substantial enclosures or by safety railings constructed and installed in compliance with this Part (rule) which will prevent persons from approaching within a horizontal distance of 18 inches. Enclosures required by this Part (rule) may be temporarily removed when starting a machine or for machine adjustment or maintenance, but shall be replaced immediately thereafter.

(f) Friction-disc drives. Friction-disc drives which are not guarded by design or location from accidental contact with any person shall be completely enclosed or shall be provided with band guards with side flanges.

(g) Wire rope. The nip points between power winches or sheaves and wire ropes shall be guarded by substantial enclosures or by safety railings constructed and installed in compliance with this Part (rule).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New York may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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