OSHA general industry machine guarding practice questions
20 free practice questions from 29 CFR 1910 Subpart O. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
OSHA Machine guarding
20 questions across 7 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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Prefer to read? Here is every question in the OSHA Machine guarding set, grouped by topic. Open a question to see the answer, why it is right and the official source.
General machine guarding
1. For some reason a machine guard cannot be attached to the machine itself. What does 1910.212(a)(2) require?
- A. The machine may run without that guard
- B. The guard must be secured elsewhere
- C. The operator must hold the guard in place by hand
- D. A warning sign may be posted in place of the guard
Show answer
Answer: B. The guard must be secured elsewhere
"Guards shall be affixed to the machine where possible and secured elsewhere if for any reason attachment to the machine is not possible."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.212, General requirements for all machines (as of Nov 3, 2026)
2. How must a revolving drum, barrel or container be guarded under 1910.212(a)(4)?
- A. With a painted floor line around it
- B. With a sign telling employees to keep clear
- C. With a railing at least 7 feet away
- D. With an enclosure interlocked with the drive mechanism, so it cannot revolve unless the guard enclosure is in place
Show answer
Answer: D. With an enclosure interlocked with the drive mechanism, so it cannot revolve unless the guard enclosure is in place
"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."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.212, General requirements for all machines (as of Nov 3, 2026)
3. Under the general requirements for machine guards in 1910.212(a)(2), what must a guard itself not do?
- A. Offer an accident hazard in itself
- B. Be attached to the machine
- C. Be made of metal
- D. Stay in place while the machine runs
Show answer
Answer: A. Offer an accident hazard in itself
The paragraph states: "The guard shall be such that it does not offer an accident hazard in itself."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.212, General requirements for all machines (as of Nov 3, 2026)
4. What does 1910.212(b) require for machines designed for a fixed location?
- A. They must be painted a safety color
- B. They must be set on rubber vibration pads
- C. They must be securely anchored to prevent walking or moving
- D. They must be registered with the OSHA area office
Show answer
Answer: C. They must be securely anchored to prevent walking or moving
"Machines designed for a fixed location shall be securely anchored to prevent walking or moving."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.212, General requirements for all machines (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Woodworking machinery
5. Under 1910.213(b)(1), the power control on each woodworking machine must let the operator do what?
- A. Cut off the power from the machine without leaving his position at the point of operation
- B. Restart the machine automatically after a power failure
- C. Change the blade while the machine is running
- D. Shut down every machine in the shop from one switch
Show answer
Answer: A. Cut off the power from the machine without leaving his position at the point of operation
A mechanical or electrical power control must be provided on each machine "to make it possible for the operator to cut off the power from each machine without leaving his position at the point of operation."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.213, Woodworking machinery requirements (as of Nov 3, 2026)
6. What does 1910.213 say about an automatic cutoff saw that strokes continuously without the operator being able to control each stroke?
- A. It may be used if it has a hood
- B. It may be used for ripping only
- C. It shall not be used
- D. It may be used if inspected weekly
Show answer
Answer: C. It shall not be used
The rule says: "Any automatic cutoff saw that strokes continuously without the operator being able to control each stroke shall not be used."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.213, Woodworking machinery requirements (as of Nov 3, 2026)
7. What is the spreader on a hand-fed circular ripsaw for, according to 1910.213(c)(2)?
- A. To hold the hood up while the saw runs
- B. To prevent material from squeezing the saw or being thrown back on the operator
- C. To measure the width of each cut
- D. To collect sawdust below the table
Show answer
Answer: B. To prevent material from squeezing the saw or being thrown back on the operator
"Each hand-fed circular ripsaw shall be furnished with a spreader to prevent material from squeezing the saw or being thrown back on the operator."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.213, Woodworking machinery requirements (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Woodworking inspection and maintenance
8. Gum has adhered to the sides of a woodworking saw. What does 1910.213(s)(1) require?
- A. The saw may run until the end of the shift
- B. The saw must be run at reduced speed
- C. The saw must be sprayed with oil while running
- D. The saw shall be immediately cleaned
Show answer
Answer: D. The saw shall be immediately cleaned
1910.213(s)(1) states: "Saws to which gum has adhered on the sides shall be immediately cleaned."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.213, Woodworking machinery requirements (as of Nov 3, 2026)
9. What must happen to a cracked saw in woodworking under 1910.213(s)?
- A. It may be used for rough cuts only
- B. It may be run at reduced speed
- C. It may be used after a wedge is fitted at the collar
- D. It must be removed from service
Show answer
Answer: D. It must be removed from service
"All cracked saws shall be removed from service." Paragraph (s) also forbids wedges between the saw disk and the collar (a "wobble saw").
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.213, Woodworking machinery requirements (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Abrasive wheels
10. Which of these does 1910.215(a)(5) exclude from the abrasive wheel machinery section?
- A. Natural sandstone wheels
- B. Cup wheels (Types 6 and 11)
- C. Wheels used on bench and floor stands
- D. Wheels mounted on portable grinders
Show answer
Answer: A. Natural sandstone wheels
Under "Excluded machinery", "Natural sandstone wheels and metal, wooden, cloth, or paper discs, having a layer of abrasive on the surface are not covered by this section."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.215, Abrasive wheel machinery (as of Nov 3, 2026)
11. Under 1910.215(a)(4), when may the work rest of an offhand grinding machine be adjusted?
- A. While the wheel runs at full speed
- B. While the wheel is coasting down after shutoff
- C. Only when the wheel is not in motion
- D. At any time, if the operator wears a face shield
Show answer
Answer: C. Only when the wheel is not in motion
"The work rest shall be securely clamped after each adjustment. The adjustment shall not be made with the wheel in motion."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.215, Abrasive wheel machinery (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Mounting abrasive wheels
12. Before an abrasive wheel is mounted, 1910.215(d)(1) requires the spindle speed of the machine to be checked. What must the check make certain of?
- A. That it matches the speed of the nearest other grinder
- B. That it does not exceed the maximum operating speed marked on the wheel
- C. That it is at least twice the speed marked on the wheel
- D. That it is 10 percent above the speed marked on the wheel
Show answer
Answer: B. That it does not exceed the maximum operating speed marked on the wheel
"The spindle speed of the machine shall be checked before mounting of the wheel to be certain that it does not exceed the maximum operating speed marked on the wheel."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.215, Abrasive wheel machinery (as of Nov 3, 2026)
13. During the ring test, a wheel sounds cracked (dead) instead of giving a clear ring. What does 1910.215 say?
- A. It may be used at half its marked speed
- B. It shall not be used
- C. It may be used with an extra blotter
- D. It may be used on a portable grinder only
Show answer
Answer: B. It shall not be used
Wheels are tapped gently, and "If they sound cracked (dead), they shall not be used."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.215, Abrasive wheel machinery (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Mechanical power presses
14. How does 1910.217(b)(4)(i) require the pedal mechanism of a mechanical power press to be protected?
- A. To prevent unintended operation from falling or moving objects or by accidental stepping onto the pedal
- B. By painting the pedal yellow
- C. By removing the pedal during die setup only
- D. By placing the pedal at least 10 feet from the press
Show answer
Answer: A. To prevent unintended operation from falling or moving objects or by accidental stepping onto the pedal
"The pedal mechanism shall be protected to prevent unintended operation from falling or moving objects or by accidental stepping onto the pedal."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.217, Mechanical power presses (as of Nov 3, 2026)
15. When must the employer provide and enforce the use of safety blocks on a mechanical power press?
- A. Only during continuous production runs
- B. Only when the press is being moved to a new location
- C. Only on presses with part revolution clutches
- D. Whenever dies are being adjusted or repaired in the press
Show answer
Answer: D. Whenever dies are being adjusted or repaired in the press
"The employer shall provide and enforce the use of safety blocks for use whenever dies are being adjusted or repaired in the press."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.217, Mechanical power presses (as of Nov 3, 2026)
16. An employer is preparing the report of a point-of-operation injury on a mechanical power press. Which item does 1910.217(g)(2) require the report to include?
- A. The purchase price of the press
- B. The operator's years of seniority
- C. The type of clutch used on the press (full revolution, part revolution, or direct drive)
- D. The name of the plant's insurance carrier
Show answer
Answer: C. The type of clutch used on the press (full revolution, part revolution, or direct drive)
"The report shall include the following information", among them the "Type of clutch used on the press (full revolution, part revolution, or direct drive)."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.217, Mechanical power presses (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Power-transmission apparatus
17. A flywheel is located above a working area. What does 1910.219(b)(1)(vi) require of the guards installed?
- A. That they be painted a warning color
- B. That they include a clear plastic window for inspection
- C. That they have sufficient strength to hold the weight of the flywheel in the event of a shaft or wheel mounting failure
- D. That they be removable while the flywheel turns
Show answer
Answer: C. That they have sufficient strength to hold the weight of the flywheel in the event of a shaft or wheel mounting failure
"Wherever flywheels are above working areas, guards shall be installed having sufficient strength to hold the weight of the flywheel in the event of a shaft or wheel mounting failure."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.219, Mechanical power-transmission apparatus (as of Nov 3, 2026)
18. A power-driven sprocket and chain drive runs more than 7 feet above the floor, and the drive extends over a working area. What does 1910.219(f)(3) require for it?
- A. Nothing further, because the drive is more than 7 feet above the floor
- B. Only a warning sign posted at floor level
- C. Only painting the chain a warning color
- D. Protection against falling
Show answer
Answer: D. Protection against falling
Sprocket wheels and chains more than seven feet above the floor or platform need not be enclosed, but "Where the drive extends over other machine or working areas, protection against falling shall be provided."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.219, Mechanical power-transmission apparatus (as of Nov 3, 2026)
19. Where explosives, explosive dusts, flammable vapors or flammable liquids exist, which hazard from shafting does 1910.219(p)(2)(ii) say shall be carefully considered?
- A. Static sparks
- B. Excess noise
- C. Glare from polished surfaces
- D. Vibration of the floor
Show answer
Answer: A. Static sparks
"Where explosives, explosive dusts, flammable vapors or flammable liquids exist, the hazard of static sparks from shafting shall be carefully considered."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.219, Mechanical power-transmission apparatus (as of Nov 3, 2026)
20. What does 1910.219(p)(7) require of the regular oilers?
- A. They must work in pairs
- B. They must wear tight-fitting clothing
- C. They must oil machinery only while it is running
- D. They must hold a state oiler license
Show answer
Answer: B. They must wear tight-fitting clothing
"The regular oilers shall wear tight-fitting clothing. Machinery shall be oiled when not in motion, wherever possible."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.219, Mechanical power-transmission apparatus (as of Nov 3, 2026)