1910.269(l)(5)(ii): Staying Out of Reach of the Minimum Approach Distance
When working near exposed parts energized at more than 600 volts but not more than 72.5 kilovolts, an employee who is not wearing rubber insulating gloves, protected by insulating covers, using live-line tools or doing live-line barehand work must work from a position where they cannot reach into the minimum approach distance set by the employer.
Key takeaways
- 1910.269(l)(5)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 5 times in the last 3 years, in 5 inspections, with $21,885 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are 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)(5)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.269 Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart R). 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
(ii) When an employee performs work near exposed parts energized at more than 600 volts, but not more than 72.5 kilovolts, and is not wearing rubber insulating gloves, being protected by insulating equipment covering the energized parts, performing work using live-line tools, or performing live-line barehand work under paragraph (q)(3) of this section, the employee shall work from a position where he or she cannot reach into the minimum approach distance, established by the employer under paragraph (l)(3)(i) of this section. 5 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.269.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.269(l)(5)(ii).
On July 31, 2024, an employee working for an electrical contractor was shocked while replacing flood-damaged electrical cable. The employee died due to electrocution.
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
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.269(l)(5)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Minimum approach distance (MAD) (2023-08-16)
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)(2) At least two employees 4 citations
- 1910.269(l)(2)(i) 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What voltages does this cover?
More than 600 volts but not more than 72.5 kilovolts.
When does the reach rule apply?
When the employee is not wearing rubber insulating gloves, protected by insulating equipment, using live-line tools, or doing live-line barehand work.
Who sets the minimum approach distance?
The employer, under paragraph (l)(3)(i).
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 2026-10-23
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.