1910.269(n)(3): Equipotential zone
Key takeaways
- 1910.269(n)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart R).
- OSHA cited it 1 times in the last 3 years, in 1 inspections, with $0 in current penalties.
- Related part: 1910.269(n) Grounding for the protection of employees (8 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.269(n)(3) ("Equipotential zone") 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
(3) Equipotential zone. Temporary protective grounds shall be placed at such locations and arranged in such a manner that the employer can demonstrate will prevent each employee from being exposed to hazardous differences in electric potential. 1 citations
Appendix C to this section contains guidelines for establishing the equipotential zone required by this paragraph. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will deem grounding practices meeting these guidelines as complying with paragraph (n)(3) of this section.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.269.
Export the list: 1 inspections cited 1910.269(n)(3) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.269(n)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.269(n) Grounding for the protection of employees 8 citations
- 1910.269(n)(2) General 6 citations
- 1910.269(n)(6) Connecting and removing grounds
- 1910.269(n)(7) Additional precautions
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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 2026-11-06
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.