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Power-feed device instead of ripsaw anti-kickback fingers

Summary OSHA responded to a field office's question about a ripsaw power-feed device. It said the specified model gave protection equivalent to required anti-kickback fingers when installed, maintained and operated to the maker's recommendations. OSHA archives the memo and warns it may no longer state current policy.
Document
Federal interpretive notice
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1996-03-14
Date issued
March 14, 1996
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Machine Guarding
Source
View the official document

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OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

March 14, 1996

MEMORANDUM FOR: SANDRA J. TAYLOR, DEPUTY REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR

FROM: JOHN B. MILES, JR., DIRECTOR, DIRECTORATE OF COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS

SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR INTERPRETATION - 29 CFR 1910.213(f)(2)

This is in response to your letter of October 20, 1995, in which the Regional Office requested an interpretation of 29 CFR 1910.213(f)(2). Please accept our apology for the delay in responding and not keeping you informed during the delay.

Concurrent with your request of Compliance Programs, Kenker Box Company as a condition of settlement, requested a variance that was evaluated by the Directorate of Safety Standards Programs. The result of their evaluation is that the power feed mechanism submitted, specifically SCMI's universal power feed model #177, provides an equivalent level of protection to the anti-kickback fingers required by the standard [29 CFR 1910.213(f)(2)] when it is installed, maintained, and operated according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and specifications.

If you have further questions on this response please contact Mr. Don Kallstrom in the Office of General Industry Compliance Assistance (202)219-8031. Again please accept our apology for the delay.

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