1910.269(l)(2)(i): When Two Employees Must Be Present
Except as allowed in (l)(2)(ii), at least two employees must be present for installing, removing or repairing lines energized at more than 600 volts, deenergized lines or equipment where workers are exposed to parts energized at more than 600 volts, mechanical equipment other than insulated aerial lifts near such parts, and other work with equal or greater electrical hazards.
Key takeaways
- 1910.269(l)(2)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 4 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $24,754 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.269(l) Working on or near exposed energized parts (75 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.269(l)(2)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.269 Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 5 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(i) Except as provided in paragraph (l)(2)(ii) of this section, at least two employees shall be present while any employees perform the following types of work: 4 citations
(A) Installation, removal, or repair of lines energized at more than 600 volts,
(B) Installation, removal, or repair of deenergized lines if an employee is exposed to contact with other parts energized at more than 600 volts, 1 citations
(C) Installation, removal, or repair of equipment, such as transformers, capacitors, and regulators, if an employee is exposed to contact with parts energized at more than 600 volts, 1 citations
(D) Work involving the use of mechanical equipment, other than insulated aerial lifts, near parts energized at more than 600 volts, and
(E) Other work that exposes an employee to electrical hazards greater than, or equal to, the electrical hazards posed by operations listed specifically in paragraphs (l)(2)(i)(A) through (l)(2)(i)(D) of this section. Open (l)(2)(i)(e) 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.269.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.269(l)(2)(i).
At 2:45 p.m. on January 7, 2025, an employee was locating underground power lines when he reached inside a transformer to retrieve a wire connected to the transformer. The employee sustained an arc flash and electrocution injury after contacting a live 7,200 volt gang switch.…
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Conditions allowing the use of insulating gloves without the use of insulating sleeves when working on or near exposed energized parts. (2006-09-01)
- Stress cone work: worker protection and job briefings (1998-06-22)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.269(l) Working on or near exposed energized parts 75 citations
- 1910.269(l)(3) Minimum approach distances 28 citations
- 1910.269(l)(3)(iii) 26 citations
- 1910.269(l)(8) Protection from flames and electric arcs 18 citations
- 1910.269(l)(1) General 13 citations
- 1910.269(l)(8)(v) 9 citations
- 1910.269(l)(1)(ii) 6 citations
- 1910.269(l)(5) Working position 6 citations
- 1910.269(l)(1)(iii) 5 citations
- 1910.269(l)(3)(iii)(A) 5 citations
- 1910.269(l)(5)(ii) 5 citations
- 1910.269(l)(2) At least two employees 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What voltage triggers the two-person rule?
Work involving parts energized at more than 600 volts.
Does work on deenergized lines count?
Yes, if an employee is exposed to contact with other parts energized at more than 600 volts.
Are transformers covered?
Yes. Installation, removal, or repair of equipment such as transformers, capacitors, and regulators is covered when exposure to more than 600 volts exists.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.269 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-24
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.