Accidents are common in large manufactories through the engagement of some portion of a workman's garments with a swiftly rotating shaft. A simple way of rendering these casualties impossible is to cover the shaft with a loose sleeve along its whole Length. The sleeve may be of tin or zinc, and made so as to be removable if desired. The friction between it and the shaft would be sufficient to cause its rotation with the latter, but of course, in event of a fabric he-corning wrapped around it, it would quickly stop, and allow of the easy extrication of the same. The sleeve should he lined with leather both within and at the ends in order to prevent noise. The same idea in the shape of loose covers might, readily be applied to cog wheels or pulleys.