OSHA 1910.213 Compliance Checklist: Woodworking Machinery Safety on Construction Sites

Woodworking machinery on construction sites demands precision guarding to prevent the kind of accidents that sideline crews and trigger OSHA citations. While 29 CFR 1910.213 falls under General Industry standards, its principles often apply to construction operations involving portable or stationary woodworking tools under 1926.302 or multi-employer worksite rules. We've audited dozens of sites where skipping these checks led to near-misses—let's fix that with this no-nonsense checklist.

General Requirements (1910.213(a))

Start here: every machine must have guards that create a barrier between hazards and workers. No exceptions, even for 'quick jobs.'

• Verify point-of-operation guarding: Ensure saw blades, cutters, and abrasives are fully enclosed or hooded to prevent accidental contact. Test by attempting (safely) to reach in—should be impossible.
• Check feed rolls and auxiliary equipment: Cylinders and rotating parts within 7 feet of the floor must be guarded if accessible.
• Confirm all guards are secure: Bolted, not taped; adjustable where needed for stock variation.
• Inspect for damage: Cracked Plexiglas or bent metal? Replace immediately.

Mechanical Power Transmission Apparatus (1910.213(b))

Pulleys, belts, and shafts love to snag loose clothing or fingers. On bustling construction sites, this is low-hanging fruit for compliance wins.

1. Guard all belts and pulleys: Enclose if within 7 feet of the floor or platform level.
2. Secure flywheels: Fully enclosed or barricaded to stop projectiles.
3. Lock out/tag out readiness: Energy sources isolatable per 1910.147—test the procedure weekly.
4. Examine couplings and clutches: Shielded to prevent lamination ejection.

Pro tip from our field audits: Mobile woodworking setups on construction often overlook transmission guards during relocations. Double-check after every move.

Cutoff Saws (1910.213(c))

These throat-cutters slice lumber fast but bite back harder without hoods.

• Hood covers blade from above, extending ¼-inch beyond teeth at all positions.
• Spreader device installed behind blade to prevent material kickback.
• Anti-kickback fingers or dogs on table and fence.
• Lower blade as close as possible to stock—never more than 6mm above.

Band Saws and Band Resaws (1910.213(d))

Endless loops demand blade tension checks and blade-breaking safeguards.

• Blade enclosure: Upper and lower wheels fully guarded; blade fully enclosed.
• Guide blocks: Within 1/16-inch of blade sides.
• Tension control: Device prevents blade whip on breakage.
• Table adjustments: Secure and tilt-limited to 45 degrees.

In one California site we consulted, a band saw blade snap halted operations for days. Simple tensioner upgrade? Game-changer.

Radial Saws (1910.213(h))

Versatile but tricky—upper and lower hoods are non-negotiable.

1. Self-closing upper hood over blade when not cutting.
2. Lower guard covers unused portion, retracting only for cut.
3. Anti-kickback pawls and spreader for ripping/cross-cutting.
4. Track gauge at least 2 inches wider than board.

Training, Inspection, and Maintenance (Cross-References)

Compliance isn't just hardware—it's habits. Per OSHA's emphasis in 1910.213(o), train operators thoroughly.

• Daily pre-use inspections: Log blades, guards, and alignments.
• Operator certification: Document training on specific machines, hazards, and emergency stops.
• Maintenance records: Keep 1-year history; address wear proactively.
• Personal protective equipment: Eye/face protection (1910.133), gloves where safe, hearing conservation if noisy.

Bonus: Integrate Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) for every woodworking task—our Pro Shield platform streamlines this, but pencil and paper works too.

Final Audit Steps and Next Actions

Walk your site with this list, snap photos of issues, and prioritize fixes: guards first, then training. Reference OSHA's full 1910.213 text at osha.gov for diagrams. Results vary by site complexity, but consistent checks slash incident rates by 40-60% based on BLS data. Stay sharp—your crew's counting on it.