Guarding of machinery in bowling centers. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Standard Number:

1910.147

1910.212

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 23, 1990

Clive Pincott
Advisory Factory
Occupational Safety and Health
New Zealand
Department of Labor
81 Litchfield Street
P.O Box 22 165
Christchurch, New Zealand

Dear Mr. Pincott:

This is in response to your letter of 12 January on the subject of the guarding of machinery in bowling centers and your inquiry as to records of accidents occurring to persons servicing or repairing pin setting machinery.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has no regulations specific to bowling pin setting machinery, and in this country, enforcement of the law against employers whose employees were exposed to risk of harm because of defective or ill-guarded bowling pin setting machinery would probably come under the provision of 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1)(2) (copy enclosed), or 29 CFR 1910.147, OSHA's Lockout-Tagout standard (copy enclosed).

As to the second part of your inquiry, OSHA has no records which would indicate, injuries or fatal accidents occurring to persons working on or about such machinery. This, of course, is not to imply that they have not occurred.

To obtain additional background on this subject, may we recommend you contact the American Machine and Foundry Company? This company is one of the largest makers of bowling machine equipment in the United States and also operates a training school where, it is reported, the safe and proper servicing of such equipment is taught.

The address of the above mentioned company is as follows:

         A.M.F. Bowling Inc.
         Technical Department
         P.O. Box 15060
         Richmond, Virginia  23227
         United States of America 
         Attn:  Mr. Charles Haffey

Please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Patricia K. Clark Director
Designate Directorate of Compliance Programs

Enclosure