OSHA Danger: Keep Hands Clear While Belt Is In Motion

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212, the General Requirements for All Machines standard, requires employers to provide machine guarding wherever there is a danger of contact with points of operation, rotating parts, or cutting mechanisms. Employers working within this framework commonly post keep-hands-clear signs directly on the machine at the point of hazard to reinforce operator awareness as part of their overall machine guarding program. The sign is one layer of a complete safety system that also includes physical guards, written procedures, and employee training. OSHA also holds employers responsible under the General Duty Clause for communicating hazards at the point of danger.

A keep-hands-clear sign should be posted directly on the machine housing at eye level near the point of operation, on the access panel closest to the hazard zone, and at any location where the operator's hands would naturally move toward the dangerous component. For conveyor systems, belt drives, and cutting machines, the sign should be placed where the warning is visible before the operator reaches the hazard area. For machines with multiple access points, a sign should be placed at each approach.

Danger indicates an immediate risk of death or serious physical injury if the hazard is not avoided. Warning indicates a hazard that could cause serious injury or death. Caution indicates a potentially hazardous situation that could result in minor or moderate injury. For keep-hands-clear applications involving unguarded blades, augers, or rotating cutters with high injury probability, Danger is the appropriate signal word. ANSI Z535.4 (Product Safety Signs and Labels) governs signal word selection for on-product safety labels.What is the difference between Danger, Warning, and Caution signal words on a keep-hands-clear sign?
A: Danger indicates an immediate risk of death or serious physical injury if the hazard is not avoided. Warning indicates a hazard that could cause serious injury or death. Caution indicates a potentially hazardous situation that could result in minor or moderate injury. For keep-hands-clear applications involving unguarded blades, augers, or rotating cutters with high injury probability, Danger is the appropriate signal word. ANSI Z535.4 (Product Safety Signs and Labels) governs signal word selection for on-product safety labels.

Bilingual safety signs in English and Spanish support the employer's hazard communication program for workplaces with limited-English-proficient workers. OSHA has a longstanding requirement that employers communicate safety information in a language their workers can understand, which applies to on-machine warnings as part of the employer's overall hazard communication program. A bilingual sign provides a persistent on-equipment reminder of the hazard at the point of use and works alongside formal employee training, not as a substitute for it.

A keep-hands-clear sign is one layer of a complete machine safety program and should not be relied upon as the only control. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212 requires physical guarding at points of operation wherever it is feasible, and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 requires lockout/tagout procedures for servicing and maintenance activities. Signs support hazard awareness but do not replace engineering controls, administrative procedures, or personal protective equipment. Employers should treat signage as a supplement to, not a substitute for, the physical guards and procedural controls required by applicable standards.