DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE  
GENERAL INDUSTRY SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory  
affairs by sections 16 and 21 of the Michigan occupational safety and health act, 1974 PA  
154, MCL 408.1016 and 408.1021, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1996-2,  
2003-1, 2008-4, and 2011-4, MCL 445.2001, 445.2011, 445.2025, and 445.2030)  
PART 26. METALWORKING MACHINERY  
R 408.12601 Scope.  
Rule 2601. This part sets forth rules, not covered in other standards, for the safety  
of employees in all places of employment where a hazard may exist in the use of  
metalworking machinery. Press brakes and handheld portable powered tools are not  
included in this part.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12602 Applicability.  
Rule 2602. (1) A metalworking machine with the point of operation inaccessible  
or remote from the operator and other assigned employees shall not be required to  
have guarding for the point of operation.  
(2) The general rules of this part shall apply to all metalworking machinery.  
(3) The specific rules shall apply only to those metalworking machines specified.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12603 Definitions; A to C.  
Rule 2603. (1) "Aisle" means a designated path of travel for vehicles and  
employees.  
(2) "Alligator shear" means a machine having a powered blade and a fixed blade  
which creates a shearing action when the moving blade meets the fixed blade.  
(3) "Awareness device" means a device that will warn the operator that he is  
approaching the point of operation.  
(4) "Barrier" means protection for an operator from a hazard point on machinery  
and equipment.  
(5) "Boring machine" means a machine with a boring tool which, when brought  
into contact with metal by force, increases the size of a hole.  
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(6) "Circular metal saw" means a machine with a support for the material and with a  
circular blade which is used for cutting metal.  
(7) "Cold header" means a machine consisting of a set of dies that, when closed by a  
ram with a hammer action, forms headed parts such as bolts or rivets from rod stock.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12604 Definitions; F to L.  
Rule 2604. (1) "Fixed barrier" means a type of guard, attached by fasteners that  
cannot be readily removed, that keeps the operator from the point of operation.  
(2) "Interlocked barrier" means a type of guard with a control interlocked with  
a machine circuit that will stop the machine if the barrier is removed or opened.  
(3) "Lockout" means to secure by use of a lock.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12605 Definitions; M, O.  
Rule 2605. (1) "Metal band saw" means a machine that is equipped with 2 wheels  
on which a continuous blade is used for metal cutting purposes.  
(2) "Metal embossing machine" means a machine that imparts a design to a piece of  
metal by pressure.  
(3) "Metalworking machinery" means a machine which removes, forms, works,  
or shapes metal or which is used to assemble parts.  
(4) "Milling machine" means a machine with a multiedged revolving cutter which,  
when brought into contact with metal, makes a desired cut.  
(5) "Multislide" means a machine which has dies attached to ends of multiple  
slides and which, when actuated, brings the dies together to pierce, form, or bend coil  
stock into a desired shape.  
(6) "Operator" means an employee who controls the machine or operation.  
(7) "Operator's position" means that location where an operator controls a machine  
or operation.  
(8) "Other assigned employees" means those employees who service or attend a  
machine or operation.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 408.12606 Definitions; P.  
Rule 2606. (1) "Pay off," sometimes called a top hat, means an uncoiling device  
upon which the undrawn coil of wire rests.  
(2) "Pinch point" means a point where it is possible to be caught between the  
moving parts of a machine and the material in process or between moving and  
stationary parts of a machine.  
(3) "Planer" means a machine with a cutting tool held stationary while the work is  
moved back and forth underneath it to reduce 1 of its dimensions.  
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(4) "Point of operation" means that point at which cutting, shaping, working,  
assembly or forming is accomplished upon the stock.  
(5) "Point of operation device" means a control or attachment which:  
(a) Restrains the operator from inadvertently reaching into the point of operation.  
(b) Prevents normal machine operation if the operator's hands are inadvertently  
within the point of operation.  
(c) Automatically withdraws the operator's hands if they are within the point of  
operation as the machine cycles.  
(6) "Powered bender" means a machine consisting of dies or fixtures located  
between a moving and a fixed machine part. When metal is placed between the parts,  
the moving part is pressed against the fixed part, bending the metal to a desired shape.  
(7) "Powered feed rolls" means parallel rolls that run inward to move material into  
the point of operation of a machine.  
(8) "Presence sensing device" means a device designed, constructed and arranged  
to create a sensing field or area and to deactivate the point of operation when an  
operator's hand or other body part is within such field or area.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12607 Definitions; R, S.  
Rule 2607. (1) "Remote" means that an operator or other assigned employee  
who is operating or attending a machine cannot, because of distance or location,  
place any part of his or her body within the point of operation when a hazard exists.  
(2) "Riveter" means a machine that consists of a ram with a tool attached so  
that, when pressed against a fixed part with a rivet or other fastener in between, it will  
cause pieces of material to be joined together.  
(3) "Roll form machine" means a machine with in-running rolls so arranged to  
form a desired shape of metal when the metal is fed through the rolls.  
(4) "Safety factor" means the ratio of the breaking strength of a piece of material or  
an object to the maximum designed load or stress applied when in use.  
(5) "Slitter" means a machine which has circular knives mounted on powered  
shafts with the cutting faces adjacent to each other in a manner that shears metal when it  
is fed through the knives.  
(6) "Squaring shear" means a machine that has a table which utilizes a driven ram  
with a blade for shearing action. The ram moves a nonrotary blade at a constant rate  
past the edge of a fixed blade at the table and cuts metal.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 408.12608 Definitions; T to W.  
Rule 2608. (1) "Tumbling mill" means a machine with a powered revolving  
container which is used to dry, smooth or polish metal parts.  
(2) "Wire drawing machine" means a machine that draws or pulls metal wire or  
rod through a predetermined size of die to reduce its diameter.  
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History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12611 Employer responsibility.  
Rule 2611. An employer shall:  
(a) Provide training to each employee as to the potential hazards and safe  
operation of the assigned job.  
(b) Maintain metalworking machinery, in conformance with this part.  
(c) Establish and maintain a lockout procedure as prescribed in subrule (1) of R  
408.12618.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12612 Employee responsibility.  
Rule 2612. An employee shall:  
(a) Not use machinery and equipment unless authorized and trained in its use.  
(b) Report defective machinery and equipment and hazardous conditions, when  
detected, to his supervisor.  
(c) Not remove guards from machinery and equipment except when necessary for  
servicing. The guard shall be replaced before returning the machinery or equipment to  
normal operation.  
(d) Not wear loose clothing and neckwear encircling the neck or exposed jewelry,  
such as rings and necklaces, near a machine having reciprocating or rotating shafts or  
spindles.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12613 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 1983 AACS; 1997 AACS.  
R 408.12614 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 408.12615 Aisles, floors, and platforms.  
Rule 2615. (1) The outline of a designated aisle shall be marked or otherwise  
indicated.  
(2) A designated aisle shall be not less than 4 feet wide and access shall be  
maintained from a work station to an aisle.  
History: 1979 AC; 1997 AACS.  
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R 408.12616 Machine and equipment installation.  
Rule 2616. (1) A metalworking machine or equipment must be installed so that the  
normal operator's position is not in an aisle, or the employee shall be protected by a  
guardrail system in compliance with General Industry Safety and Health Standard Part 2.  
“Walking-Working Surfaces,” being R 408.10201 to R 408.10241 of the Michigan  
Administrative Code.  
(2) Metalworking machines and equipment, except portable types, must be fastened  
to a floor, platform or bench to prevent tipping or inadvertent movement, or be equipped  
with nonslip pads.  
(3) Electrically powered metalworking machines and equipment must be grounded.  
(4) Provision must be made to prevent metalworking machines and equipment from  
automatically restarting upon restoration of power after a power interruption, if such  
restart would be hazardous.  
History: 1979 AC; 2019 AACS.  
R 408.12617 Controls.  
Rule 2617. (1) When a presence-sensing device is used as a safety device, the  
control shall incorporate a fail-safe feature.  
(2) Machine start controls shall be designed and installed or guarded to prevent  
unintentional activation by contact with objects or a part of the body.  
(3) A machine shall be provided with a stop device within reach of the operator's  
designated position.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS; 1997 AACS.  
R 408.12618 Maintenance and lubrication.  
Rule 2618. (1) A power source of any metalworking machine or equipment to be  
repaired or serviced shall be locked out and, where required, residual pressure  
relieved by each employee doing such work if unexpected motion would cause injury,  
except where power is essential for testing and set up.  
(2) Lubrication shall be accomplished by 1 of the following:  
(a) Manually, when the machine can be shut off and locked out.  
(b) Automatic pressure or gravity feed system.  
(c) Extension pipe leading to an area outside of guards or away from any hazard.  
(d) A means which would provide equal or greater protection to the employee  
than (a), (b) or (c).  
(3) In any case, rule 732 of the occupational safety standards commission  
standard, Part 7. Guards for Power Transmission, being R 408.10732 of the  
Michigan Administrative Code, shall be followed.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12619 Hydraulic and pneumatic systems.  
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Rule 2619. (1) A hydraulic or pneumatic system shall be designed and  
constructed to have a safety factor of not less than 4.  
(2) Hydraulic or pneumatic flexible lines shall be protected from chaffing.  
(3) When hydraulic, air or steam lines are bled, equipment supported by these  
systems shall be physically blocked or otherwise secured by means other than  
components in the circuit, to provide for the safety of employees working on or  
about the equipment.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12620 Chip guards; protection from coolant splash.  
Rule 2620. (1) Chips which create a hazard shall be controlled by a chip guard that  
is located between the point of operation and any employee within range.  
(2) If a machine uses a coolant, an employee shall be protected from coolant  
splash.  
(3) Chips, dust, or sludge shall be removed by brush, tools, or mechanical  
means. Where air pressure is used, the discharge of a hand-held nozzle shall be less than  
30 pounds per square inch under a static flow condition.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 408.12622 Electric magnets and vacuum chucks.  
Rule 2622. (1) A grinding machine with a rotating table and equipped with a  
magnetic or vacuum chuck to hold the stock shall be interlocked to prevent contact  
between the stock and tool, unless the stock is secured to the table or chuck and the  
employee is protected by a guard capable of retaining flying stock within the machine.  
(2) A grinding machine with a reciprocating table and equipped with a magnetic or  
vacuum chuck to hold the stock shall have an end guard to protect an employee from  
flying stock or tools, or the machine shall meet the following conditions:  
(a) The machine shall be located so that, in case of chuck or magnet failure, any  
flying material or object will carry into a solid wall.  
(b) The wall shall be covered with an energy absorptive material capable of  
absorbing the shock and preventing the ricocheting of flying materials.  
Plasterboard shall not be used where coolant is used in the operation.  
(c) The machine shall be positioned so as not to allow room for an employee to  
pass between the machine and the wall.  
History: 1979 AC.  
SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT  
R 408.12631 Squaring shear.  
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Rule 2631. (1) An employer shall ensure that a squaring shear, mechanical or  
manual, shall have 1 of the following:  
(a) The blade and hold-down clamp guarded by a fixed barrier set in accordance  
with Figure 1.  
(b) Automatic clamps set within 1/4 inch of the table or stock with the cutouts filled  
in so that the fingers of the operator cannot enter the pinch point.  
(c) A self-adjusting barrier with a limit of not more than 1/4 inch above the table or  
material.  
(2) Where small stock is being sheared, a pusher stick must be provided and used.  
(3) An employee tending the backside of a squaring shear shall be separated from  
the moving parts by a table, rack or chute, such as the back gauge, shear blade or work  
piece on which the sheared stock shall fall before being handled, or the point of  
operation must be guarded as prescribed in subdivision (a) of subrule (1). The table, rack  
or chute must maintain the employee's position not less than 3 feet from the point of  
operation or a hazardous moving part.  
(4) An automatically fed squaring shear must be guarded by a barrier so located to  
prevent access to the point of operation. The guard may be swung aside for hand feeding,  
providing the control is on inch setting.  
FIGURE 1  
Fig. 1 shows the accepted safe openings between the bottom edge of a guard and feed  
table at various distances from the danger line (point of operation).  
The clearance line marks the distance required to prevent contact between the guard and  
moving parts.  
The minimum guarding line is the distance between the infeed side of the guard and the  
danger line that is 1/2 inch from the danger line.  
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The various openings are such that for average size hands, an operator’s fingers will not  
reach the point of operation.  
After installation of point of operation guards and before a job is released for operation, a  
check must be made to verify that the guard will prevent the operator’s hands from reaching  
the point of operation.  
History: 1979 AC; 2019 AACS.  
R 408.12632 Circular metal saws.  
Rule 2632. (1) A circular metal saw shall meet all of the following:  
(a) Have a guard made of material not less than 1/8 inch thick and capable of  
protecting the operator from broken teeth of the blade and chips. The guard shall  
enclose not less than the upper half of the blade, including the arbor and nut, and be  
positioned to stop sparks and chips from striking the operator.  
(b) Have a water tank below the table or an enclosure to trap sparks and chips.  
(c) Have a braking means capable of stopping the saw within 20 seconds, or the  
operator shall stand by until the blade stops.  
(2) A circular metal saw wheel or blade shall be operated at not more than its rated  
speed.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12633 Bar stock and rod machines; screw machines; tread machines.  
Rule 2633. A bar stock and rod machine, screw machine or thread machine must  
have the bar stock that extends beyond the machine guarded by a trough or tube or  
guarded by a guardrail system in compliance with General Industry Safety and Health  
Standard Part 2. “Walking-Working Surfaces,” being R 408.10201 to R 408.10241 of the  
Michigan Administrative Code.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS; 2019 AACS.  
R 408.12634 Planers.  
Rule 2634. (1) A planer shall have the openings in the bed under the table  
covered, and have a barrier protecting an employee if the table or material travels within  
18 inches of a fixed object, such as a wall or post.  
(2) An employee shall not ride the table of a planer unless he is protected  
against falling off the table.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12635 Metal band saws.  
Rule 2635. (1) A vertical metal band saw shall be guarded as follows:  
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(a) The band wheels and all portions of the blade, except as provided by subdivision  
(b) of this subrule, shall be fully enclosed by solid material or perforated metal which  
prevents the operator from coming in contact with the blade.  
(b) The portion of the blade between the table and the front side of the upper wheel  
shall have an adjustable blade guard that is maintained within 1/4 inch of the work to be  
cut or the holder of the material being cut.  
(2) A horizontal metal band saw shall be guarded as follows:  
(a) The band wheels and the upper portion of the blade shall be fully enclosed by  
solid material or perforated metal which prevents the operator from coming in contact  
with the upper portion of the blade.  
(b) The guides shall be maintained as close as practical to the stock being cut.  
(3) A horizontal metal band saw used in a vertical position shall be guarded as  
required by the provisions of subrule (1) of this rule.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 408.12636 Metal embossing machines.  
Rule 2636. (1) A press-type metal embossing machine shall be guarded at the point  
of operation as prescribed in the general industry safety standards commission  
standards, Part 23. Hydraulic Power Presses or Part 24. Mechanical Power Presses,  
being R 408.12301 et seq. and R 408.12401 et seq., respectively, of the Michigan  
Administrative Code.  
(2) A powered roll-type metal embossing machine shall be guarded as prescribed  
in R 408.12637.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 408.12637 Powered feed rolls.  
Rule 2637. Powered feed rolls shall have 1 of the following:  
(a) The in-running side of the feed rolls guarded by a barrier, fixed or adjustable, so  
designed that the material can be fed without permitting the fingers to be caught  
between the feed rolls or feed rolls and guard.  
(b) An emergency stop device which can be activated by the body to stop the feed  
rolls. When an emergency stop device has been actuated, it shall be required that the  
machine be restarted manually.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12638 Wire drawing machines.  
Rule 2638. (1) An employer shall ensure that a wire drawing machine has 1 of the  
following:  
(a) An emergency stop device adjacent to the block available to shut down the  
machine.  
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(b) An emergency stop device, such as a bar, rope or cable, along the operating side  
of a continuous drawing frame or unit so designed that the device will stop the machine at  
any point along the unit. When an emergency stop device has been actuated, the machine  
must be restarted manually.  
(2) The live block, capstan and straightening rolls of a wire drawing machine must  
be enclosed with a barrier guard.  
(3) A wire drawing machine must be equipped with a stopping device so arranged to  
stop the block automatically if the operator can be caught in the wire or the reel drawn to  
the machine, or the area from and including the payoff to the machine must be enclosed  
with a guardrail system in compliance with General Industry Safety and Health Standard  
Part 2. “Walking-Working Surfaces,” being R 408.10201 to R 408.10241 of the Michigan  
Administrative Code. The stop device must be as prescribed in subrule (1)(b).  
(4) Where straightening rolls are not used, a snarl switch interlocked with the live  
block or capstan must be provided.  
(5) A pinch point less than 8 feet from a floor or platform, created by the moving  
wire or rod passing over or through the equipment, must be guarded by a barrier if  
exposed to contact.  
(6) All barrier guards or enclosures that can be removed or opened without tools  
must be interlocked with the live block or capstan.  
(7) A pinch pointer used to prepare wire or rod for insertion into a die must be  
guarded if the opening is more than 1/4 larger than the material being fed into it.  
History: 1979 AC; 2019 AACS.  
R 408.12639 Boring, honing, reaming, and drilling.  
Rule 2639. (1) An employer shall ensure that when boring, honing, reaming, or  
drilling, all of the following provisions apply:  
(a) Except for hand-held honing, the workpiece is secured by a device to prevent it  
from being turned by the tool.  
(b) Manual measuring at the point of operation is done only when the tool or  
rotating workpiece has stopped.  
(c) A vertical metal cutting machine with a rotary table has a rim guard either fixed  
or portable around the table of a height to cover any pinch point or rotating hazard at the  
lower side and to a point not less than 2 inches above the workpiece or fixture, whichever  
is higher. Where the rotating table is at floor level, a removable guardrail system must be  
installed as prescribed in General Industry Safety and Health Standard Part 2.  
“Walking-Working Surfaces,” being R 408.10201 to R 408.10241 of the Michigan  
Administrative Code.  
(d) Multiple-spindle heads, except when used for tapping and those with  
cam-operated slides, have an emergency return control at each station.  
(2) A chuck key that is used on a drill press must be as prescribed in  
R 408.12648(2).  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS; 2019 AACS.  
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R 408.12640 Milling.  
Rule 2640. When milling, all of the following provisions apply:  
(a) Manual adjustments or measurements at the point of operation shall be made  
only after the tool and workpiece have stopped.  
(b) Machine torque shall not be used to loosen nuts.  
(c) A chip guard shall be installed between the point of operation and the operator  
and other employees within range.  
(d) The workpiece shall be securely clamped before the table moves in the  
direction of the cutter or the cutter moves to the workpiece.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 408.12641 Roll-form machines.  
Rule 2641. (1) An automatically fed roll-form machine shall have a shield which  
runs the entire length of the point of operation and which will prevent horizontal access  
to the rolls or a continuous stop cable shall be provided along the length of the  
machine. The shield shall be secured to the machine.  
(2) A manually fed roll-forming machine shall be guarded as prescribed in R  
408.12637.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 408.12642 Powered benders.  
Rule 2642. (1) An employer shall ensure that a powered bender has 1 of the  
following:  
(a) A barrier or enclosure guard that is designed to protect the operator from the  
pinch points when clamping parts in the bender.  
(b) A single-stroke hand control device that can be activated with 1 hand holding the  
workpiece, remote from the pinch points, when clamping parts in the bender, or a  
single-stroke foot control device where both hands hold the workpiece, remote from the  
clamping pinch point.  
(c) A 2-hand, single-stroke control device.  
(2) Where the sweep of the stock intrudes into the aisle or work area of another  
employee or endangers the operator or other employees, an employer must provide a  
guardrail system in compliance with General Industry Safety and Health Standard Part 2.  
“Walking-Working Surfaces,” being R 408.10201 to R 408.10241 of the Michigan  
Administrative Code.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS; 2019 AACS.  
R 408.12643 Tumbling mills, barrels and revolving cylinders.  
Rule 2643. (1) A tumbling mill, barrel or revolving cylinder shall have an enclosure  
to a height of 42 inches to protect an employee if there are any moving projections.  
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(2) The enclosure shall have an interlocked gate or barrier at the machine  
opening which shall cut the power off when the gate or barrier is removed. An inch  
control may be used for positioning or emptying when the gate or barrier is removed.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12644 Alligator shears.  
Rule 2644. An alligator shear shall have the jaws enclosed with a guard which  
adjusts to the size and shape of the material.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12645 Riveters, braders and stakers.  
Rule 2645. (1) A vertical or horizontal ram on a riveter, brader or staker shall be  
guarded by a barrier, device or enclosure to protect the operator from the point of  
operation or an awareness device shall be used to warn the operator he is approaching  
the point of operation. The guard shall extend to within 3/8 inch of the material.  
(2) Lodged rivets shall be removed only by a tool.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12646 Powered clamping device.  
Rule 2646. An operator of a powered clamping device that is used for holding a  
workpiece shall be protected by employing 1 of the following methods:  
(a) Guarding or adjusting so that the opening between the clamp and workpiece  
insertion is not more than 1/4 of an inch.  
(b) Two-hand controls furnished to, and used by, each operator.  
(c) Providing a single control for each operator if the operator is remote from the  
point of operation or pinch point.  
(d) A means which would prevent the clamping device from closing while the  
employee is in the point of operation or pinch point.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
R 408.12647 Slitter.  
Rule 2647. A slitter shall have:  
(a) The in-running side guarded as specified in R 408.12637.  
(b) A device to cut the scrap into short lengths or a rewinder to rewind the scrap for  
safe handling.  
(c) A method to secure the loose end to the coil before removing it from the  
rewinder.  
History: 1979 AC.  
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R 408.12648 Lathes.  
Rule 2648. (1) A lathe face plate or chuck with projections on the periphery shall  
not be used unless guarded.  
(2) A chuck key for a lathe chuck shall be 1 of the following:  
(a) Counterweighted to return it to storage position.  
(b) Interlocked to prevent the chuck from being power driven when the key is in  
the chuck.  
(c) Spring loaded to eject it from the chuck.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12649 Cold header.  
Rule 2649. (1) The sliding head and the dies of a cold header shall be blocked  
before starting any service work on the dies.  
(2) All points of operation from the straightening rolls to, and including the  
dies, shall be enclosed.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 408.12650 Multislide machines.  
Rule 2650. A multislide machine shall have all moving parts guarded by barriers or  
an enclosure.  
History: 1979 AC; 1991 AACS.  
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;