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.  
(6) "Circular metal saw" means a machine with a support for the material and with a  
circular blade which is used for cutting metal.  
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(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.  
(4) "Point of operation" means that point at which cutting, shaping, working, assembly or  
forming is accomplished upon the stock.  
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(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.  
History: 1979 AC.  
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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.  
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  
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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.  
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.  
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(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.  
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.  
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(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.  
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.  
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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:  
(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:  
Page 8  
(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.  
(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.  
Page 9  
“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.  
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.  
Page 10  
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.  
(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.  
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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.  
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.  
Page 12  
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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;