1910.269(l)(3): Minimum Approach Distances for Power Line Work
Employers doing electric power generation, transmission or distribution work must set minimum approach distances no less than those computed by Table R-3 for ac systems or Table R-8 for dc systems. For voltages over 72.5 kilovolts, they must find the maximum transient overvoltage by engineering analysis or assume it from Table R-9, and must keep employees and conductive objects from getting closer than the set distance unless the employee is insulated or other listed conditions are met.
Key takeaways
- 1910.269(l)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 28 times in the last 3 years, in 24 inspections, with $169,301 in current penalties.
- 5 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (4), VA (3), KY (3).
- Related part: 1910.269(l) Working on or near exposed energized parts (75 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.269(l)(3) ("Minimum approach distances") is one requirement inside 1910.269 Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). It includes 6 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
(3) Minimum approach distances. 28 citations
(i) The employer shall establish minimum approach distances no less than the distances computed by Table R-3 for ac systems or Table R-8 for dc systems. Open (l)(3)(i) 2 citations
(ii) No later than April 1, 2015, for voltages over 72.5 kilovolts, the employer shall determine the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, through an engineering analysis or assume a maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, in accordance with Table R-9. When the employer uses portable protective gaps to control the maximum transient overvoltage, the value of the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, must provide for five standard deviations between the statistical sparkover voltage of the gap and the statistical withstand voltage corresponding to the electrical component of the minimum approach distance. The employer shall make any engineering analysis conducted to determine maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage available upon request to employees and to the Assistant Secretary or designee for examination and copying. Open (l)(3)(ii)
See appendix B to this section for information on how to calculate the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, when the employer uses portable protective gaps to reduce maximum transient overvoltages.
(iii) The employer shall ensure that no employee approaches or takes any conductive object closer to exposed energized parts than the employer's established minimum approach distance, unless: Open (l)(3)(iii) 26 citations
(A) The employee is insulated from the energized part (rubber insulating gloves or rubber insulating gloves and sleeves worn in accordance with paragraph (l)(4) of this section constitutes insulation of the employee from the energized part upon which the employee is working provided that the employee has control of the part in a manner sufficient to prevent exposure to uninsulated portions of the employee's body), or Open (l)(3)(iii)(a) 5 citations
(B) The energized part is insulated from the employee and from any other conductive object at a different potential, or Open (l)(3)(iii)(b) 3 citations
(C) The employee is insulated from any other exposed conductive object in accordance with the requirements for live-line barehand work in paragraph (q)(3) of this section. Open (l)(3)(iii)(c) 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.269.
Injuries linked to this rule
5 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.269(l)(3).
At 9:30 a.m. on July 23, 2024, an employee working as a lineman for an electric power cooperative was working from a bucket truck switching out transformers at a residence. The employee successfully swapped out the transformer and began connecting the existing wires. At some…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: TN (4), VA (3), KY (3), MA (2), IA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HOOPER CORPORATION | LITTLETON, CO | $16,550 |
| NAES | PLEASANT HILL, MO | $16,550 |
| AMEREN MISSOURI | JEFFERSON CITY, MO | $16,550 |
| SHENANDOAH VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE - ROCKINGHAM OFFICE COMPLEX | LURAY, VA | $15,375 |
| 66372 - PIKE CORPORATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $14,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.269(l)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Minimum approach distance (MAD) (2023-08-16)
- Minimum approach distance (MAD) requirements covered under 1910.269 when installing protective grounding equipment (2021-05-03)
- Enforcement of minimum approach distance requirements in 29 CFR 1910.269 and 29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart V (2016-12-22)
- Extended enforcement dates for minimum approach distances to electrical power lines (2016-01-20)
- Minimum approach distances to electric power transmission and distribution lines during the installation of protective grounds (2015-10-02)
- Use of live-line tools and exemption to the requirement for at least two employees to be present during work on an energized part. (2006-10-19)
- Conditions allowing the use of insulating gloves without the use of insulating sleeves when working on or near exposed energized parts. (2006-09-01)
- Conditions rendering underground electrical power connections as unsafe to touch with bare hands. (2006-04-25)
- Determining voltage ratings for electrical insulating equipment used during electrical power distribution and transmission work. (2005-09-27)
- Exceptions to minimum approach distances for power generation, transmission and distribution (2000-02-10)
- Appropriate safety practices for the removal of electrical meters. (1999-08-03)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.269(l) Working on or near exposed energized parts 75 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
- 1910.269(l)(2)(i) 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Where do the minimum approach distances come from?
They must be no less than the distances computed by Table R-3 for ac systems or Table R-8 for dc systems.
What is needed for voltages over 72.5 kilovolts?
The employer must determine the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage by engineering analysis or assume it according to Table R-9.
Can an employee get closer than the minimum approach distance?
Only under the listed conditions, such as when the employee is insulated from the energized part with rubber insulating gloves, or gloves and sleeves, worn as the rule requires.
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.