29 CFR 1910.269: OSHA Electric Power Generation and Distribution

Regulatory citation: 29 CFR 1910.269, Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution (Special Industries, Subpart R)

What Is the OSHA Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Standard?

Section 1910.269 covers the operation and maintenance of electric power generation, transmission and distribution installations. It applies to installations accessible only to qualified employees, other installations at generating plants such as fuel and ash handling and chlorine and hydrogen systems, certain electrical test sites, and line-clearance tree trimming done for the operator of the lines.

Construction work is generally excluded and covered by Part 1926, Subpart V. Electrical installations and work practices covered by Subpart S are also excluded.

Why the Standard Matters

Power line and generating plant workers face electrocution, arc flash burns, falls from poles and towers, and hazards from stored energy in plant equipment.

Core Obligations

1. Train and Qualify Employees (1910.269(a)(2))

All employees must be trained in the safety practices that apply to their jobs. Qualified employees must also be able to distinguish exposed live parts, determine nominal voltage, know and maintain minimum approach distances, and use special precautionary techniques, PPE, insulating materials and insulated tools. Employers must check compliance through supervision and inspections at least once a year, and retrain when needed.

2. Exchange Information With Contractors (1910.269(a)(3))

Before work starts, the host employer must tell contract employers about known characteristics and conditions of the installation. Contract employers must instruct their employees on those hazards, tell the host about unique hazards their work presents, and report any unanticipated hazards found during the work within 2 working days.

3. Provide First Aid Trained Personnel (1910.269(b))

For field work involving two or more employees at a site where lines or equipment are energized at 50 volts or more, at least two trained persons must be available. At fixed work locations such as substations, there must be enough trained persons that each exposed employee can be reached within 4 minutes.

4. Hold a Job Briefing (1910.269(c))

Before each job, the employee in charge must brief the crew on the hazards, work procedures, special precautions, energy source controls and PPE requirements. For repetitive work, at least one briefing must be held before the first job of each day or shift, with more briefings when conditions change. An employee working alone must still plan the work as if a briefing were required.

5. Control Hazardous Energy at Generating Plants (1910.269(d))

Employers must have an energy control program with procedures, training and periodic inspections for servicing and maintenance at generation installations. Lockout must be used where devices can be locked out, unless the employer can show that tagout will provide full employee protection. Procedures must be inspected at least annually by an authorized employee other than the one using the procedure, and the employer must certify the inspection and the training.

6. Keep Minimum Approach Distances (1910.269(l)(1)–(3))

Only qualified employees may work on or near exposed energized parts. At least two employees must be present for certain work, such as installing, removing or repairing lines energized at more than 600 volts. The employer must set minimum approach distances no smaller than those computed under Table R-3 for AC or Table R-8 for DC. Employees may not go closer unless they are insulated from the energized part, the part is insulated from them, or they are insulated for live-line barehand work under (q)(3).

7. Assess and Protect Against Arc Flash (1910.269(l)(8))

Employers must assess the workplace for flame and electric arc hazards and make a reasonable estimate of incident heat energy. Clothing that could melt or ignite and keep burning, such as acetate, nylon, polyester, rayon and polypropylene unless treated or worn safely, is prohibited. Where estimated incident energy exceeds 2.0 cal/cm², employees must wear arc-rated protection with a rating at least equal to that energy, with set rules for hands, feet, head and face.

8. Use Fall Protection on Lifts and Structures (1910.269(g)(2))

Employees in aerial lifts must use travel restraint or personal fall arrest systems. Employees more than 4 feet above the ground on poles, towers or similar structures must use fall protection unless the employer has provided other fall protection meeting Subpart D. Qualified employees climbing or changing location must also use it unless the employer can show that doing so with fall protection is infeasible or creates a greater hazard.

Common Compliance Approaches

Incident Energy Tables by Task

Utilities build tables of incident energy by voltage and task so crews can quickly select the right arc-rated clothing.

Tailboard Briefing Forms

A short written briefing form, completed at the job site, records hazards, energy controls and approach distances for each job.

Example: Electric Power Work in Practice

A rural electric cooperative sends a three-person crew to replace a damaged crossarm on a 12.47 kV distribution line. The foreman holds a job briefing on the line voltage, the approach distance the cooperative has set, and the cover-up plan. The incident energy estimate for the task is above 2.0 cal/cm², so the crew wears arc-rated shirts, pants and faceshields with a rating above the estimate. The bucket worker is tied off to the boom.

Related regulations: OSHA electrical work practices, OSHA lockout/tagout, OSHA aerial lifts.

Note: This summary covers selected parts of 1910.269. The standard also covers enclosed spaces, excavations, ladders, portable tools, live-line tools, materials handling, de-energizing lines and other topics not summarized here. State plan states may set stricter rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 1910.269 apply to electrical contractors building new lines?

Construction work is generally excluded from 1910.269 and covered by the construction standards in Part 1926, Subpart V.

When is arc-rated clothing required?

When the estimated incident heat energy exceeds 2.0 cal/cm². The arc rating must be at least equal to the estimated energy.

How many first aid trained people does a line crew need?

Section 1910.269(b) requires trained persons to be available for first aid, with at least two for field work involving two or more employees near lines energized at 50 volts or more. The general first aid requirements in Section 1910.151 also apply.