1926.1409: Power Line Safety Over 350 kV
The power line rules in 1926.1407 and 1926.1408 also apply to lines over 350 kV, with changes. For lines at or below 1000 kV, wherever those rules say 20 feet, use 50 feet instead. For lines over 1000 kV, the minimum clearance distance must be set by the utility owner/operator or a registered professional engineer who is a qualified person in power transmission and distribution.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1409 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1409, "Power line safety (over 350 kV)", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart CC). It has 2 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.1409 (2 paragraphs)
The requirements of §§ 1926.1407 and 1926.1408 apply to power lines over 350 kV except:
(a) For power lines at or below 1000 kV, wherever the distance “20 feet” is specified, the distance “50 feet” must be substituted; and
(b) For power lines over 1000 kV, the minimum clearance distance must be established by the utility owner/operator or registered professional engineer who is a qualified person with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Temporary Enforcement Policy for Proximity Alarm and Insulating Link Use with Cranes and Derricks in Construction (2014-03-31)
- Temporary Enforcement Policy for Proximity Alarm and Insulating Link Use with Cranes and Derricks in Construction. (2012-06-25)
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Frequently asked questions
What distance applies near power lines over 350 kV up to 1000 kV?
Wherever 1926.1407 and 1926.1408 specify 20 feet, 50 feet must be substituted.
Who sets clearance for lines over 1000 kV?
The utility owner/operator or a registered professional engineer who is a qualified person in electrical power transmission and distribution.
Do the regular power line rules still apply over 350 kV?
Yes. 1926.1407 and 1926.1408 apply, except for the distance changes in this section.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1409 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
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.